Kidney patients across the country are dying slowly day in and day out. This comes after the renal unit at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital continues to be inaccessible to outpatient services as of the end of the working day on Monday, November 6, leaving patients who depend on dialysis services in a state of frustration.
This regrettable situation has persisted since May 22, 2023, and has compelled patients to seek treatment elsewhere, causing severe inconvenience and anxiety.
Last Friday, November 3, the hospital’s management decided to reopen the renal unit, raising hopes for patients and their families. However, this decision has been reneged upon, prolonging the suffering of individuals desperately in need of essential medical care.
The closure of the renal unit has attracted significant public attention, with many expressing concern about the welfare of the affected patients. The Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Isaac Baah Ofei, disclosed that Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang-Manu had directed the immediate reopening of the unit, emphasizing the urgency of the matter. Regrettably, this directive has not been fully implemented as of today.
A recent visit to the renal unit by Accra-based Citi News on Monday afternoon confirmed that the facility remained closed to outpatient services as of 2 p.m.
Earlier, a partial reopening of the unit took place on Wednesday, September 27, offering a glimmer of hope for patients. However, this reopening came with a significant increase in dialysis treatment costs per session, which escalated from GH¢380 to GHS¢765.42. The abrupt hike in fees added to the financial burden borne by patients already grappling with the closure of the unit.
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minority’s spokesperson on health, has expressed his disappointment with the Health Minister, accusing him of failing to ensure the implementation of his directive regarding the unit’s reopening.
The protracted closure of the renal unit has resulted in severe consequences, with a heartbreaking total of 19 outpatients losing their lives since its closure in May 2023, primarily due to a GH¢4 million debt that has cast a shadow over this critical healthcare service.
