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Health Minister Mintah Akandoh has dismissed claims that dialysis treatment is free in Ghana, calling such assertions “misleading.” He insists that no facility in the country currently offers free dialysis services.
Speaking in an interview, Akandoh expressed his confusion over the widespread belief that some patients receive dialysis at no cost.
"I get confused when people say there is free dialysis somewhere in Ghana. This is a misleading statement. There’s no free dialysis anywhere," he stated.
He explained that while the previous government had allocated GH₵2 million for dialysis under the 2024 National Health Insurance Formula, this funding expired at the end of last year. He emphasised that the amount was grossly inadequate, considering the country requires at least GH₵75 million annually to sustain dialysis treatment for patients.
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"The National Health Insurance Formula that covered this expired on December 31, 2024. Beyond that date, there was absolutely nothing like free dialysis because there was no policy or source of funding," he added.
What Happens to Kidney Patients Who Cannot Afford Treatment?
With no free dialysis available, many patients battling kidney disease are left struggling to afford life-saving treatment. However, the government says it is working towards a sustainable funding model to support dialysis and the treatment of other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana.
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As part of these efforts, Mintah Akandoh on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, inaugurated a nine-member technical task force under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as “Mahama Cares.”
The task force has been tasked with developing a framework to improve healthcare infrastructure and alleviate the financial burden on patients suffering from chronic illnesses, including kidney disease.
Chaired by Rev. Prof. Emeritus Seth Aryeetey, the committee is expected to finalise its work and submit a report by April 15, 2025. Ghanaians now await concrete solutions to address the financial strain on patients who require dialysis but cannot afford it.