The Nigerian government has approved a new subsidy scheme aimed at saving lives and curtailing physical and financial burdens, especially, amongst vulnerable Nigerians.
According to a statement issued by the country’s Health Ministry, through the Deputy Director/Head, Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun, the price per dialysis session under this scheme, is N12,000, as against the previous N50,000.
The statement also said the 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.
It also said the implementation of the pilot scheme is on-going in the following federal health institutions, across the geo-political zones of the country. It will also be expanded in due time.
They include: Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, University of Jos Teaching Hospital and the National Hospital, Abuja.
Others are the Federal Medical Centre, EbuteMetta, University College Hospital, Ibadan, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri, and Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki
The statement also “categorically” stated that the Nigerian government has not excluded the northwest states in the dialysis subsidy, contrary to claims in some media reports.
It added that the government 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 to subsidized dialysis sessions.