Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important global health challenge with increasing burden worldwide. CKD and acute kidney injury (AKI) may require renal replacement therapy (RRT) at some stages of the disease. Ghana currently has no renal transplant program. Dialysis services still remain a mirage to many chronic kidney disease patients in Ghana due to cost and paucity of dialysis machines.

The cost per session of haemodialysis service is GHC 200 ( ∼ USD 65). Dialysis for acute kidney injury is covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) with a flat fee of GHC 850 ( ∼ USD 265) for the full cost of  acute dialysis.

Clients whose cumulative bill for dialysis sessions exceeds this amount have to top up the difference from their pockets.

The NHIS does not cover for chronic dialysis services and patients pay from their pocket or from other sources,putting huge financial constraints on families,which sometimes plunge entire extended families into serious financial crisis and others resorting to self medication resulting in complications and eventually preventable death.

Signing this petition will help raise awareness about the challenges being faced these patients and their families and help bring  great relief if half of the cost of kidney dialysis covered.