The Presidential Advisor on health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, has hinted of plans by government to institute an insurance system to cater for patients undergoing dialysis.

According to him, this is part of measures aimed at improving healthcare delivery in the country and reducing the number of deaths caused by kidney failure.

He explained that the insurance system would also help ease the financial burden of persons with kidney diseases.

Speaking at the launch of a renal centre at The Bank Hospital on Thursday, Dr. Nsiah-Asare said the move will help to change the narrative of healthcare delivery by improving access to free services.

“The cost of treating one patient on renal dialysis for a year is about GH¢50,700 and I’m sure most families cannot afford that amount for one patient alone; it’s huge and it’s out of the reach of people.

“So, we also want to set up a renal fund or insurance system which will take care of renal cases,” he said.

He further revealed government’s intention to pass a law to regulate the donation of kidneys to patients who may have to undergo kidney transplant.

“But before we do that, we have to put a legislation in place to back kidney transplant so that people don’t just catch people on the street and remove their kidneys to sell,” he noted.