The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced plans to expand its free dialysis programme to provide greater access to life-saving treatment for renal patients across the country.

As part of the initiative, the NHIA will procure additional dialysis machines and essential consumables for healthcare facilities nationwide.

The expansion is in line with the government’s broader strategy to improve access to critical healthcare services.

Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr. Victor Bampoe, explained that the programme aims to include more patients suffering from kidney conditions under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

“The previous government started the free dialysis, and there are 20 centres where the service is offered free of charge. What is needed is to expand it to make it more sustained in terms of funding,” he said.

“So that instead of the exercise depending on some funds, it will become like any other disease under the NHIS,” Dr. Bampoe added.

The move is expected to ease the financial burden on patients and their families, many of whom struggle with the high cost of dialysis treatment in Ghana.