Former Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, has affirmed that Ghana’s free dialysis programme is currently operational across selected health facilities.

His statement comes in response to criticisms from Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who condemned the previous administration for allocating only GH¢4 million to the programme, calling it grossly insufficient to meet the needs of dialysis patients nationwide.

Akandoh, who previously served as the Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, raised concerns over Ghana’s lack of a sustainable funding mechanism for dialysis treatment. He argued that GH¢4 million was inadequate, given the high cost of dialysis sessions, medical consumables, and overall patient care.

However, speaking on Point Blank on Eyewitness News on March 13, 2025, Dr. Nsiah-Asare dismissed claims that the programme was struggling due to funding constraints.

“We all saw in dailies that 20 facilities were published by the National Health Insurance Authority for this free dialysis in December 2024 after assessment for patients had been done.

“These services, as I know, are currently ongoing smoothly in the various selected facilities and have been confirmed severally by the president of the dialysis association, Major Ahenkra. You can call him to confirm, you can also call some of the dialysis patients to confirm if they are not receiving free dialysis.

“You can also call some of the institutions if they are not being reimbursed through the National Health Insurance.

“This is because it is part of the policy package for this year. As you are aware, the health insurance brought in 45 dialysis machines within a three-partner collaboration, which were used to support the free dialysis programme.

“So, I can say free dialysis is ongoing as far as I am concerned. Because the budgetary allocation of GH¢57 million, which was captured in the appropriation bill for the first quarter, dialysis has been covered.”

Dr. Nsiah-Asare’s remarks highlight ongoing efforts to sustain the initiative despite concerns over funding.