Govt subsidies on dialysis just political gimmicks, not sustainable – Akandoh

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Health Committee, has questioned the sustainability of the National Health Insurance Authority's (NHIA) new initiative to provide free dialysis sessions for kidney patients under 18 and over 60.

Effective June 1 to December 2024, these patients will receive eight free sessions per month, while those aged 19 to 59 will get two free sessions monthly.

However, Akandoh argues that the government should subsidise dialysis fees instead.

He criticised the temporary nature of the initiative, attributing it to the upcoming elections and noting the lack of a long-term funding plan, with session costs rising from GH¢380 to GH¢491.