Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for Tamale South, has advocated for the allocation of GH¢10 million by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to support dialysis for needy patients across Ghana. Addressing Parliament, Mr. Iddrisu emphasized the urgency of the dialysis situation, stressing that the current allocation of GH¢2 million was insufficient given the national emergency of inadequate dialysis centres.

Mr. Iddrisu highlighted the need for a substantial increase in funding, pointing out that NHIA's Corporate Social Responsibility allocation of GH¢30 million further underscored the inadequacy of the GH¢2 million allocation for dialysis support. He proposed that at least GH¢10 million should be dedicated to dialysis interventions in various regions, including Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Bolgatanga.

His remarks came during a discussion on the proposed Formula for the disbursement of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) for 2024. The Formula, presented to Parliament earlier in March, was referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

Under Section 39 of the National Health Insurance Act, 2012 (Act 852), the NHIA is tasked with managing the NHIF to finance healthcare services for members of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Mr. Iddrisu urged Parliament to prioritize funding to address the pressing dialysis needs across the country, emphasizing the absence of adequate dialysis centres as a national emergency.

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), established by the National Health Insurance Act, 2003 (Act 650), aims to provide financial risk protection for quality basic healthcare for all residents in Ghana. Act 650 was later replaced by Act 852, leading to the formation of NHIA to oversee the NHIS implementation. Mr. Iddrisu's call for increased funding reflects the critical need to address dialysis support and enhance healthcare services nationwide.