Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has announced that the government has successfully revived and strengthened the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Speaking to stakeholders in Suame Constituency in the Ashanti Region on Sunday, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that the NHIS, initially introduced by former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration, was nearly defunct before the NPP assumed office in 2017.

“The National Health Insurance Scheme was virtually collapsed under Mahama, but we have revived and strengthened it, injecting significant funds,” he stated.

Dr. Bawumia highlighted new benefits under the NHIS, noting that conditions previously uncovered, such as childhood cancer, are now treated at no cost.

Dr. Bawumia also announced that sickle cell patients now receive the drug hydroxyurea—an effective but costly treatment—free of charge under the NHIS.

Furthermore, following a successful six-month pilot, free kidney dialysis will be available under the NHIS for eligible patients under 18 and over 60 starting December 1, 2024.