Chidimma Uchegbu
In a significant move to save lives, reduce both physical and financial suffering, especially amongst vulnerable Nigerians; the Federal Government has approved a new subsidy scheme to ease the cost of dialysis for patients.
The price per dialysis session under the subsidy scheme, is now N12,000 as against the previous N50,000.
This intervention is a deliberate initiative of the present administration to bring relief to patients with kidney related diseases and expand access to Universal health coverage.
Implementation of the pilot scheme is ongoing in the following eleven Federal Tertiary Health institutions across the geo-political zones of the country and, will be expanded in due time: Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, University of Jos Teaching Hospital and National Hospital, Abuja.
Others are Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, University College Hospital, Ibadan, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri, and Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki.
Meanwhile the Federal Government has not excluded the Northwest states in the dialysis subsidy, contrary to claims in some media reports.
Government said it is committed to ensuring no Nigerian is left behind in accessing healthcare services across the country under its renewed hope agenda, as more Federal hospitals will be added in the safety net to widen access for the subsidized dialysis sessions.
