The Minority caucus of the Health Committee in Parliament is calling for the immediate reopening of the renal unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra for outpatients. Currently, the facility, which provides dialysis treatment to kidney patients, has been closed to such patients for over five months due to a lack of funds.
The unit faced criticism for unilaterally increasing the cost of dialysis by 100 percent. Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman Manu has stated that the government is considering subsidizing dialysis. However, following a private meeting with the head of the Renal Unit of Korle Bu, Ranking Member for the health committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, expressed his concerns to the media, stating that it is unacceptable for the unit to remain closed due to a lack of funds.
The MP for Juaboso urged the government to immediately allocate funds to the facility, as the lives of many patients are at risk due to this closure.
“With the dialysis issues at Korle-Bu we think the government is being wicked. The government is being unconscionable and insensitive at this point in time.
“If you recall when the increment came, we tried to meet management, they assured us that yes, they didn’t pass through the due process and therefore it was retracted. We also demanded that the refund be made and they assured that those who have paid on the next visit they will pay the difference,” Mr. Akandoh stated.
He expressed his determination to advocate for the reopening of the renal unit at Korle-Bu Hospital, going beyond just conveying his concerns to the Minister of Health. He revealed that he had personally met with the Minister to emphasize the importance of taking any necessary measures to ensure the unit’s reopening. The lawmaker further explained that the Minister had given assurances of promptly allowing the renal unit to serve the Outpatient Department (OPD).
Regrettably, the renal unit has remained closed to OPD patients for the past four to five months, which is a matter of great concern. Urgency is of the essence, and the lawmaker insisted that all possible means, including government subsidies, available resources such as funds from covid levies and misused covid-related funds, and the National Health Insurance, should be utilized to address this emergency situation.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana
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