Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu has stated that government is actively exploring the possibility of subsidising renal care for people with kidney disease in response to growing concerns raised by the Renal Patients Association of Ghana regarding the high costs of dialysis and treatment at public health facilities.
Speaking at the 50th anniversary and Annual Congress of Medical Laboratory Scientists, the Health Minister shared that comprehensive consultations are underway to address the dialysis crisis. “I have reported to cabinet, and cabinet is expecting a proposal from me,” he stated. “This morning, as I came to this function, I met with the Kidney Association of Ghana, and we are all talking and working on certain things.”
The Minister further revealed that discussions with parliamentarians are ongoing, aiming to find a suitable solution. “We will either put it on the health insurance or have the government provide subsidies to reduce costs,” he explained. “We are even considering adjustments to health insurance nomenclature to see how best we can resolve this issue.”
In addition to addressing the concerns of renal patients, the Health Minister addressed the recent shortage of anti-retroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS patients. He assured the public that an investigative committee will be established to examine the factors behind the drug shortage, with measures in place to prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists is calling for the introduction of legislation that establishes a Medical Laboratory Science Council to oversee and regulate the profession of medical laboratory scientists across the country.
The group is also advocating for the Ministry of Health to establish a dedicated directorate at the national, regional, and district levels to oversee Medical Laboratory services, further enhancing the quality of healthcare services in Ghana.