WHO advocates for NHIS expansion to include renal dialysis

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an expansion of Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to encompass critical illnesses, with a particular focus on kidney diseases. This initiative is aimed at reducing the financial burden faced by patients who require dialysis treatments.

Dr. Francis Chisaka Kasolo, WHO’s Country Director, stressed the significance of extending NHIS coverage to include renal treatment services, emphasizing its potential to alleviate the financial hardships endured by patients grappling with kidney-related ailments.

Dr. Kasolo’s remarks come at a crucial time, following mounting concerns over a purported increment in dialysis fees announced by the Renal Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Speaking during a press event held in Accra, Dr. Kasolo underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive reassessment of NHIS operations.

“If our health insurance is comprehensive and covers renal treatment services, it can alleviate the costs associated with it. This would reduce the increasing out-of-pocket expenses we are witnessing, especially concerning dialysis costs.”

He further stressed that the inclusion of renal treatment services within the NHIS benefits package could potentially offer much-needed relief to patients and present a viable solution to the mounting out-of-pocket expenditures tied to dialysis costs.