No Free Dialysis in Ghana – Health Minister Debunks Claims, Announces New Medical Trust Fund

Health Minister Mintah Akandoh has refuted claims that dialysis treatment is free in Ghana, describing such statements as “misleading.” In an interview with JoyNews, he clarified that no hospital in the country currently offers free dialysis services.

“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 further explained that the GH₵2 million allocated under the 2024 National Health Insurance Formula to support dialysis treatment expired on December 31, 2024, leaving no financial provision for patients in 2025. According to him, Ghana requires at least GH₵75 million annually to provide adequate dialysis care, making the previous allocation highly insufficient.

Government’s Next Steps: “Mahama Cares” Medical Trust Fund

To address the financial burden of dialysis and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the government is working on a sustainable funding model. On March 12, 2025, Minister Akandoh inaugurated a nine-member technical task force under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as  “Mahama Cares.”

Chaired by Rev. Prof. Emeritus Seth Aryeetey, the committee has been tasked with developing a comprehensive healthcare financing strategy that will improve infrastructure and ensure long-term support for patients battling chronic illnesses like kidney disease. The team is expected to present its final report by April 15, 2025.

While patients await a sustainable solution, the absence of financial support for dialysis remains a major concern, with many calling for urgent government intervention to prevent further loss of lives.