Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has announced that beginning December 1, 2024, kidney dialysis will be free for all patients in Ghana, with treatment costs fully covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Speaking in the Ashanti Region on November 10 as part of his campaign tour, Dr. Bawumia highlighted the government’s efforts to expand NHIS coverage for critical health services. “The National Health Insurance Scheme has been revamped, with more funds invested into it,” he noted. “Today, we are already covering sickle cell disease and childhood cancers.”
This decision follows a successful six-month pilot program that offered free dialysis for patients aged 60 and above, as well as for those under 18. Dr. Bawumia remarked that, due to the high cost of dialysis, many Ghanaians have struggled to afford necessary treatment for kidney disease. “Many people have been getting kidney problems, and the cost of dialysis is too high for many to bear,” he said.
With the pilot now concluded, he confirmed that starting next month, NHIS will provide free dialysis for all patients nationwide, marking a significant step in improving access to life-saving care.
