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Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has disclosed that the government is exploring the possibility of subsidizing the expenses associated with dialysis treatment for individuals afflicted by kidney diseases.
He says the possibility of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) covering the treatment is also being considered.
This announcement follows grievances raised by the Renal Patients Association of Ghana concerning the high costs of dialysis and treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) and other public healthcare facilities.
Mr Agyeman-Manu, speaking at the 50th anniversary and Annual Congress of Medical Laboratory Scientists, stated that comprehensive consultations are underway to address the challenges surrounding dialysis treatment.
“I have reported to cabinet and cabinet is expecting a proposal from me. This morning as I came to this function, I met with the Kidney Association of Ghana and we are all talking and we are working on certain things.”
He added: “Yesterday, I met with some parliamentarians and we are soliciting views. We will either put it on the health insurance or government finds subsidy to bring it down, and we are probably even looking at health insurance nomenclature to see how best we can solve that.”
Regarding the recent scarcity of anti-retroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS patients, the Health Minister assured that such a situation will not happen again. He indicated that a committee would be established to investigate the factors contributing to the shortage of anti-retroviral drugs.
In the meantime, the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists is advocating for the enactment of legislation to establish a Medical Laboratory Science Council tasked with regulating the profession of medical laboratory scientists throughout the country.
The group also seeks the creation of a dedicated directorate within the Ministry of Health, operating at national, regional, and district levels, with responsibilities for overseeing Medical Laboratory services.
