Health Minister, Mintah Akandoh, has dismissed claims that dialysis treatment is free in Ghana, describing such assertions as “misleading.”
Addressing the media in parliament, Minister stated that there is no free dialysis service anywhere in the country.
Mr Akandoh explained that the previous government had allocated GH₵2 million for dialysis under the 2024 National Health Insurance Formula, which expired last year.
He, therefore, pointed out that the allocated amount was inadequate, as the country requires at least GH₵75 million annually to provide dialysis treatment for patients.
Meanwhile, the government has launched the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, widely known as Mahama Cares, to provide financial support for people suffering from chronic diseases, including kidney failure and heart conditions.
The initiative, introduced by President John Dramani Mahama, is expected to ease the financial burden of treatment and improve access to healthcare for affected individuals.
The minority in parliament has also debunked allegations by the health minister that it did not have dedicated funding for the free dialysis programme initiated in the lead up to the 2024 elections.
Speaking on the floor of parliament, the ranking member on the health committee and MP for Effiduase-Asokore Constituency, Nana Ayew Afiyie, said the NPP government had a fund for the policy.
