Ranking Member of the Health Committee in Parliament, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has challenged Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s recent announcement regarding the absorption of dialysis cost for certain categories of patients by the government.
The initiative being touted by the Vice President, according to Hon. Akandoh, originated from Parliament and is not a brainchild of the Vice President or the government.
“This proposal never came from the executive. The Vice President does not know this proposal,” he stated.
He argued that Parliament pushed for an allocation in the National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) 2024 formula specifically to address dialysis treatment costs.
While acknowledging a provision of GH¢2 million being made, Akandoh condemned the amount as insufficient.
According to him, the targeted categories of patients (Below 18 years and above 60 years) outlined by the Vice President are ridiculous as a majority of those who need such critical care fall outside of these two groups.
“You will realise that the huge population of dialysis patients is between the ages of 19 and 59. So the below 18 and above 60, constitute less than 30%, maybe around 20% of the population suffering from renal diseases, you see where the deception is.”
Akandoh also questioned the program’s sustainability, pointing out that the announced coverage is only for six months.
“We need a sustainable, well-thought-through plan to be able to absorb the cost of dialysis. Not this populist approach,” he emphasized.
Akandoh stressed the true needs of dialysis patients and stated, “What dialysis patients need is for either the total absorption of the cost or partial absorption of the cost, and the bulk of the population for these patients are within 19 and 59 years old, not below 18 and above 60. The Vice President’s announcement is a deception,” he added.