Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Reymond Awusei Johnson
Published on 2024-02-10 08:05:50
The renal unit at KBTH ceased outpatient services in May 2023 due to the increasing costs of dialysis consumables. This decision resulted in patients seeking dialysis treatments elsewhere, mainly in private hospitals or facilities. Dr. Owusu Sekyere, the Director of Medical Affairs at KBTH, mentioned on JoyTV that the existing debt has further increased as renal patients only contribute half of the total dialysis treatment cost, and there are no alternative means to cover the remaining expenses, leading to financial challenges for the facility.
In response to the financial strain on the renal unit, there was an urgent need to approve revised fees to alleviate the financial burden and ensure continued access to essential dialysis services for patients. Dr. Owusu Sekyere highlighted the significant difference between the cost of performing one dialysis at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, which is over GH₵720 cedis, and the amount patients are paying, which is GH₵380. This substantial difference led to the shutdown of the unit initially, and despite clearing a bill of GH₵4 million cedis due to exchange rates and other factors, the cost difference remains unresolved, resulting in the accumulation of another GH₵2 million bill.
On September 27, a partial reopening of the unit was initiated with a significant increase in dialysis treatment costs per session from GH¢380 to GHS¢765.42. However, following public outcry, the price hike was swiftly rescinded, and the unit remained closed to outpatients.
In November 2023, the renal unit at KBTH resumed operations for patients after the government cleared its GH¢4 million debt. However, despite the reopening, the unit’s management reveals that they are still accumulating significant debt, posing potential challenges to the sustainability of their dialysis services in the long run.
The approval of revised fees is seen as crucial to alleviate the financial strain on the renal unit and ensure the continued access of patients to essential dialysis services. Furthermore, addressing the significant cost difference between the actual cost of dialysis and what patients are paying is essential to prevent the accumulation of debt and financial challenges for the renal unit.
The closure of the renal unit at KBTH and the subsequent accumulation of debt highlight the critical need for sustainable financial solutions to ensure the continued provision of essential dialysis services for patients. Without a resolution to the financial challenges faced by the renal unit, there is a risk of limited access to dialysis services, impacting the health and well-being of patients in need of these life-saving treatments.
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