The Executive Director of the African Center for Health Policy Research and Analysis, Dr. Thomas Anaba has expressed his reservations about the government’s decision to add dialysis sessions permanently to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Speaking on the Starr Midday News with Lantam Papanko, Dr. Anaba stated that the government’s ability to effectively implement this policy is his concern.
He challenged the government to provide how they are going to generate funds to support NHIS and how the funds would be protected.
“The government should explicitly tell us how they are going get a source to the funding, and they should tell how they’re going to protect the source of funding to ensure that no one uses it for a personal interest”, Dr. Anaba stated.
According to him, he is with the fear that the government would fail in the implementation of this decision.
The Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a few weeks ago, announced free dialysis for people above Sixty and below Eighteen years, effective from December 1st, 2024, while the Renal Patients Association of Ghana has welcomed the initiative.
The government has yet to detail its funding strategy or outline measures to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of the policy.
Dr. Anaba’s call for clarity on these crucial aspects highlights the need for a well-defined plan to avoid potential pitfalls and ensure the sustainability of this initiative.
The addition of dialysis to the NHIS represents a significant step towards improving access to vital healthcare services for Ghanaians.
However, the potential strain on the existing health insurance system and the need for robust funding and implementation strategies must be addressed to ensure the policy’s success.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/John Bodza
