The Ghanaian Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman Manu, is set to appear before parliament next week to address pressing questions regarding the five-month closure of the vital renal unit at the publicly funded Korle-Bu hospital in the capital city of Accra.
The shutdown of the renal unit, which serves as the country’s largest treatment center for patients suffering from kidney diseases, has been attributed to severe budgetary constraints. Due to the lack of funds, the hospital was unable to provide essential services to the patients who depend on it for their critical medical needs.
Tragically, the closure of the unit has resulted in the loss of nineteen lives, according to Kofi Baffour Ahenkorah, the head of a patients’ group.
Kofi Baffour Ahenkorah shared his deep concern, stating that the dire situation has left most of their members stranded, as they cannot afford the steep costs of treatment at private hospitals.
Patients in need of dialysis typically require treatment three times a week, and at the Korle-Bu hospital, the cost of this crucial service amounts to $190 (£160) per week.
This cost is significantly more affordable than the prices charged by private hospitals, making the closure of the publicly funded unit even more distressing.
The Ministry of Health claims to have issued a directive for the facility’s reopening and suggests that the debt issue has been resolved. However, the hospital authorities dispute this claim, stating that they have not received any such directive to reopen the renal unit.
The situation has ignited a growing outcry among the public, with many demanding accountability and swift action to resolve the critical issue of the closed renal unit at Korle-Bu hospital.