The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Aboagye Da-Costa, has announced that the government will soon disburse GH¢2 million, approved by Parliament, to assist with providing dialysis treatment for those in need.

The funds, which were granted in March, came in response to kidney patients' appeals for government intervention following an increase in the cost of dialysis.

On Monday, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital raised the cost of dialysis from GH¢380 to GH¢491, a move criticised as illegal by some members of Parliament’s Select Committee on Health. Dr Da-Costa expressed hope that the upcoming disbursement would offer some relief.

“We have made progress on dialysis. The committee set up to implement the disbursement has concluded its report, and within the next few weeks, we will begin distributing the funds to various hospitals,”Dr Da-Costa revealed.

He added that the approved funds are specifically for the needy and will supplement dialysis treatment cost at Korle Bu, Komfo Anokye, and Cape Coast hospitals.

In March, Parliament approved GH¢6.87 billion for the NHIA to cover health insurance claims and other activities for the year. This approval included, for the first time, emergency support for needy dialysis patients as part of the 2024 distribution formula.

Enhanced funding for dialysis will be made available once a committee, established to evaluate the actuarial model for incorporating dialysis into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), completes its work.

Dr Da-Costa noted that this committee has submitted its report with recommendations on the actual cost impact of dialysis on the claims budget and sustainability mechanisms.