Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Group Chairman of the Asaase Broadcasting Company (ABC), has urged the Ghana Health Service and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to look into ways to reduce the high cost of kidney care for the average citizen of Ghana.
He called the price of dialysis “mind-boggling” and urged the government to “seriously look” into the issue and help those Ghanaians who cannot afford treatment.
In a ceremony held on Friday in Accra, Mr. Otchere-Darko pleaded with the audience to help fund the distribution of at least seven dialysis machines to various health facilities.
Mr. Otchere-Darko said, “Receiving dialysis in a week is mind boggling if you get it here. Not many Ghanaians can survive the cost of it… I plead with the State and in particularly the NHIA; I understand you have limited resources but is there any way we can stretch that to support, even subsidise the cost of receiving dialysis.”
The Foundation’s Kidney Health Campaign, which included the distribution of the equipment, also served as a celebration of Asaase Radio’s third anniversary.
Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Enchi Government Hospital, Sogakope District Hospital, Obuasi District Hospital, Volta Regional Hospital, Bono Regional Hospital, Upper East Regional Hospital, and Obuasi District Hospital are among the hospitals that will benefit from this.
ABC’s CEO, Nenyi George Andah, said that the donation of dialysis machines was made as part of the company’s dedication to supporting healthcare in deprived and needy communities.
“The setting up of these dialysis machines shows our dedication to improving healthcare in marginalised communities, transform lives, and build inclusive societies,” he said.
President and CEO of the NHIA, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, has stated that patients with chronic kidney disease are not currently covered by the health insurance programme. Dialysis treatment for acute kidney disease is offered for a fixed cost of approximately GHS 900.00.
When asked if the Authority would consider expanding its benefits to include chronic (lifelong) patients, he responded yes if the Authority’s financial situation improved. In Ghana, a single dialysis session could cost you somewhere around 500 GHS. In order to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body, chronic patients require three treatments.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two most common causes of chronic kidney disease. Chronic urinary tract infections, urinary tract obstruction due to tumours or kidney stones, or an enlarged prostate can all contribute to this illness. There are a number of potential causes of acute kidney disease, including certain medications, infections, and injuries.
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