Kwabena Mintah-Akandoh, the Member of Parliament for Juaboso, has expressed skepticism about Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s recent promise of free dialysis treatment, calling it a political gimmick.
In a statement released on November 15, Akandoh criticized the pledge, which is set to take effect on December 1, 2024, as an empty promise from a government that has failed to address the nation’s healthcare challenges effectively.
Akandoh pointed out that the free dialysis initiative lacks a solid policy framework and is not included in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 manifesto.
Additionally, he raised concerns about the absence of funding for the initiative in the 2024 National Health Insurance Fund Allocation Formula, questioning the feasibility of the promise.
“The recent pledge by Dr. Bawumia to provide free dialysis treatment for kidney patients starting December 1 is yet another empty, reactionary promise from a government that has persistently failed to address the healthcare needs of Ghanaians.
“This promise has no credible policy framework, there is absolutely no reference to it in the NPP 2024 Manifesto, there is no allocation whatsoever in the 2024 National Health Insurance Fund Allocation Formula, neither is there any necessary budgetary support provision in 2024 Budget prepared by the Economic Management Team headed by Dr Bawumia. This hollow commitment, for all intents and purposes, is a deceptive attempt to win public favour in the lead-up to the elections.”
According to him, Dr. Bawumia’s recent pledge to cover dialysis treatment is a reaction to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama’s bold promise to fund dialysis and cancer treatment under the Mahama Cares programme.”
“It is evident that Dr. Bawumia’s recent pledge to cover dialysis treatment is nothing more than a reaction to President John Dramani Mahama’s bold promise to fund dialysis and cancer treatment under the Mahama Cares program. Dr. Bawumia’s desperation to match this commitment has led to erratic, kneejerk policies devoid of careful planning.”
He called on Ghanaians to vote out Dr Bawumia and his government to end what he labelled as a “nightmarish governance.”
