The World Health Organisation (WHO) is asking for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to be expanded to include critical illnesses, notably kidney disease.
This measure attempts to reduce the financial burden of dialysis for patients.
Dr. Francis Chisaka Kasolo, WHO Country Director, emphasised that expanding coverage to include renal therapy treatments would greatly reduce patients’ financial burden.
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This is crucial in view of the current uproar surrounding the rising cost of dialysis at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
During a media event in Accra, Dr. Kasolo emphasised the importance of a thorough evaluation of NHIS operations.
He highlighted, “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.”
Dr. Kasolo argues that adding renal treatment services to the list of NHIS benefits might potentially ease financial strain on patients and provide a workable solution to escalating out-of-pocket costs related to dialysis costs.
