The CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Dacosta Aboagye, has clarified the age criteria for patients to qualify for free dialysis treatment under the government's new initiative.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, he corrected earlier communication, stating, "It is for patients who are 18 and below and 60 and above."

Dr Aboagye mentioned a special arrangement for patients aged between 19 and 59 years, depending on the treatment facility.

This follows the announcement of a six-month free dialysis support program for renal patients, running from June to December 2024.

The NHIS outlined that vulnerable groups (patients aged 18 and below and 60 and above) will receive eight free dialysis sessions per month, with a total estimated cost of GH₵2.3 million.

Dr. Aboagye explained, "For instance, if you go to Korle Bu, which already benefits from philanthropic support of ¢380, we are only giving them 50% of the two sessions for equity purposes so that they will be at par with other facilities like Ho, Cape Coast, Tamale, and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals, as well as Efia Nkwanta Hospital."

He added, "They will be getting two sessions free of charge payment at a cost of ¢982 whilst Korle Bu will get ¢491. What it means is that everybody will now have six sessions to pay for, that is if you are between the ages of 19 and 59."

Regarding the selection of hospitals, Dr Aboagye explained this was done in consultation with patient representatives and hospital CEOs.

"Once we had the approval from Parliament, we set up a committee led by Dr Nsiah Asare with the patient's representative and all the CEOs of the teaching hospitals, and it became clear where the numbers were coming from," he said.

He emphasised that "the hospitals that we selected were the ones given to us by the renal patients themselves. We did not select it for them. They were part of the decision-making process."