According to Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, a dialysis expert at Sage Medical Centre in the East Legon area of Greater Accra Region, the high cost of dialysis treatment in Ghana is due to the exchange rate between the Ghanaian Cedi and the US Dollar.
This exchange rate has resulted in expensive kidney-related disease treatments in the country.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah explained that the necessary equipment, drugs, and consumables for dialysis treatment are all imported, and currently, no African country manufactures kidney treatment drugs.
Supporting Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s call for an increase in the cost of dialysis treatment, Dr Ayensu-Danquah suggested raising the price from GHS 380 to GHS 765 for a three-day treatment session using the dialysis machine, which is aimed at removing waste from the body.
According to Dr. Ayensu-Danquah, kidney-related diseases are increasing among younger individuals in Ghana, particularly those aged 30 to 40. In contrast to the Western world, where the disease is more common among older individuals, in Ghana it is more prevalent among people with high blood pressure and diabetes.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah emphasized the importance of timely kidney waste disposal to prevent the disease from worsening, especially when waste accumulates in the brain. Dialysis machines play a crucial role in removing waste from the body.
Additionally, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah noted that Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital charges a subsidized amount for dialysis treatment, thanks to the support of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). This highlights the need for external assistance to ensure that this necessary medical treatment is accessible to those in need.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana
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