The Member of Parliament (MP) for Juaboso has expressed disappointment in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) proposed policy of free dialysis treatment for kidney patients, calling it “belated,” as it was announced just 25 days before the 2024 general election.
As Ranking Member of Parliament’s Health Committee, the MP pointed out that this policy will allow kidney patients under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to receive free dialysis treatment starting December 1, 2024.
Vice President and NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia announced the policy at a stakeholder meeting in the Old Tafo Pankrono Constituency in the Ashanti Region, following a successful six-month pilot program that provided free dialysis for patients under 18 and over 60 years old.
In an interview on Ekosii Sen on Asempa FM, Mr. Akandoh criticized the timing of the announcement, suggesting it is an attempt to gain votes in the December 7 election.
He argued that the government should have introduced the policy earlier, particularly when the dialysis crisis intensified.
“Before renal issues became topical in this country, what was the government doing all this while? This has been captured in the NDC’s manifesto since 2020—when did the NPP realize it was possible to implement?” he remarked. “At a point, I was a lone voice on dialysis issues in this country. The Vice President was in Ghana but remained silent, and now, barely three weeks before elections, he has finally decided to act? It is too late,” he stated.
Mr. Akandoh further noted that the policy may fail to have the intended impact or be fully implemented, as he believes the NPP will lose the upcoming election.
Mr. Akandoh expressed confidence that former President John Mahama will win the election, paving the way for the implementation of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares), which will cater to all individuals with chronic diseases.
“This is clear and unambiguous,” he stated.
Listen to Mintah Akandoh in the audio above:
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