A long-time kidney patient, Baffour Kojo Ahenkorah, has shared his distressing story about the recent increase in dialysis costs, which has left him unable to afford his life-sustaining treatments.
Mr. Ahenkorah has been battling kidney disease for nine years, unknowingly living with hypertension during his school days.
He often felt fatigued and sleepy, assuming it was normal, until a severe illness in 2015 led to a life-changing diagnosis: his kidneys had failed.
Since then, he has relied on regular dialysis to survive.
“I skipped my session due to the price increase. I can’t eat although I am hungry, and it is affecting me a lot because I don’t want to be too heavy. I’ve used all my cash for dialysis, and it is really affecting me. I am nearing my grave and my death,” he cried.
He recounted his poignant story on Adom FM’s morning program, Dwaso Nsem, last Wednesday.
After being diagnosed, Mr. Ahenkorah began undergoing dialysis, an expensive treatment he needs three times weekly.
The financial strain over time has depleted both his and his family’s finances, leaving him in financial ruin.
“I’ve become a nuisance, and my friends have rejected me,” he said, describing the emotional and financial toll of his condition.
“The increment has really affected me. I urge the government to do something about it,” he pleaded.
Meanwhile, the Renal Patients Association of Ghana has echoed these concerns, warning that the increased fees will worsen the financial difficulties already faced by many patients.
Statistics show that nearly 1,300 Ghanaians are on dialysis, with a renal patient requiring about 12 sessions per month. With the cost per dialysis session increased from GH₵380 to GHS491, a patient will need nearly GHS6,000 per month for the full treatment.
NHIA to Roll Out 6-Month Dialysis Support on June 1 – CEO Discloses
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Aboagye Da-Costa, has announced that his organization will commence its planned support for dialysis treatment on June 1. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday, May 15, Dr. Da-Costa noted that the support would be implemented for the next six months.
This move comes after Parliament approved GH₵2 million to assist patients in need of dialysis across the country.