The Forum for Development and Accountable Governance (FDAG)a civil Society Organization has uncovered alarming findings regarding the previous government’s “free dialysis” initiative, describing it as a politically motivated deception that has left thousands of renal patients stranded and contributed to at least 30 deaths.
The group is calling for investigation and prosecution over the issue.
Ghana’s dialysis crisis has reached catastrophic levels, with an estimated 5,000 renal patients requiring regular treatment to survive.
However, due to poor access, exorbitant costs, and the lack of a sustainable dialysis policy, over 60% of these patients receive inadequate or no treatment.
Shockingly, one in every three renal patients in Ghana dies prematurely due to lack of access to dialysis—one of the highest mortality rates in the sub-region.
In November 2024, the government, through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), announced free dialysis treatments at 40 health facilities, backed by an allocation of GHS 20 million to GHS 57 million. The NHIA also claimed that the World Bank would support the provision of modern dialysis machines.
However, FDAG’s extensive field investigations at major hospitals, including Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), and Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), revealed a deeply flawed, poorly planned, and short-lived intervention that failed to provide meaningful relief.
A statement issued by FDAG signed by
Nana Kojo Abbam, a Senior Research Fellow, explained that over 70% of patients could not access treatment due to logistical constraints, funding challenges, machine shortages, and administrative confusion.
The group said, Hospitals lacked clear directives, leaving patients and medical staff in a state of uncertainty resulting in collapse of the program within weeks after the December 2024 elections.
According to FDAG, the sudden failure of the initiative had devastating consequences with at least 30 patients lossing their lives, many of whom had relied on the government’s false promises.
“Families shared heart-wrenching stories of being turned away from hospitals due to lack of funds and resources.Regional disparities in service delivery left many vulnerable patients without support” .
FDAG holds the government and the NHIA fully accountable for this deception and demands:a transparent explanation of how the allocated funds were spent and why the program was designed to fail.
The group called for introduction of a permanent, well-structured dialysis support program to ensure affordable and consistent care for all renal patients, and investigation and prosecution of officials responsible for the initiative’s failure.
The group called for genuine reform and intervention to support renal patients.
“Ghanaians deserve a healthcare system built on integrity, competence, and sustainability—not one dictated by political expediency and short-term electoral gimmicks,” said Nana Kojo Abbam, Senior Research Fellow at FDAG.
FDAG urges civil society organizations, the medical community, and all stakeholders to demand better governance and genuine healthcare reforms that prioritize the health and well-being of Ghanaians over political gamesmanship.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
