Management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has made a U-turn on the surge in the cost of dialysis for kidney patients.
The increment of dialysis for kidney patients from GH₵380.00 to GH₵765.42 dominated headlines and discussions on social media after the increment with heightened interest by Ghanaians on September 27, 2023.
The Public Relations Officer(PRO) of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Mustapha Salifu, emphatically stated that the increment was due to the removal of tax exemption and high import duties on products for dialysis.
He added that the Renal Dialysis Unit would be forced to shut down if the treatment price is not increased.
Mr Salifu noted that the review is crucial to sustain the unit’s daily operations to save end-stage renal failure patients.
However, the management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has backtracked.
In a statement dated September 27, the number one referral health facility in Ghana said the new price review proposal presented by the Renal Dialysis Unit is yet to receive consideration and approval by the management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
“Any proposed fee will be forwarded to Parliament through the Ministry of Health for approval. It is only after the due parliamentary approval that any fees will be implemented”.
“The hospital management appreciates the challenges confronting renal dialysis patients. We will continue, as we have done over the years, to collaborate with stakeholders and philanthropists to help subsidize dialysis reagents and services for the treatment of many patients”.
“An outstanding example of this is the First Sky Group, which has provided free dialysis services over the past eight(8) years, with more than 200 patients benefiting yearly; a gesture that has tremendously improved the survival rate and quality of life of our renal patients,” the statement noted.
Management of the health facility added that they will continue to keep the welfare of the renal patients at the centre of any discussions concerning the adjustment in the cost of dialysis for kidney patients.
Moreover, any other support from public-spirited individuals or organizations, according to the management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, is welcomed at this crucial moment.