Approve proposed new fees to keep renal unit running—Korle-Bu to Parliament

The management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has called on Parliament to quickly approve the proposed new fees for the renal unit to avoid a further shutdown.

The renal unit, which had been closed since May 2023, was officially re-opened to outpatients on Monday, November 6.

In an official statement announcing the re-opening of the unit, the hospital’s management also called upon the Ministry of Health to address the GH₵ 4 million debt incurred due to under-recoveries.

“Management of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) wishes to inform all stakeholders and the general public that the Renal Dialysis Unit was re-opened to outpatients on Monday, November 6, 2023. This was subsequent to engagement with the Minister of Health, Hon Kwaku Agyeman-Manu last week”.

“The Ministry of Health is working closely with the management of KBTH to offset the GH₵ 4million debt occasioned by the cost under-recoveries. We call on Parliament to expedite action on the proposed new fees and charges to enable us to recover cost and sustain the service”.

“We commend individuals, corporate bodies, and other philanthropic organizations who have over the years helped us provide life-saving treatment to our patients. It is our hope that other stakeholders and benefactors will also come on board to support in order to prevent a recurrence of the challenges that led to the suspension of dialysis service to outpatients”.

Re-opening of the renal unit is good news for individuals suffering from kidney disease.

The Renal Patients Association earlier revealed that the shutdown of the facility led to the deaths of nineteen (19) of its members.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, is expected to appear before Parliament on Thursday, November 9, 2023, to explain the reason that led to the closure of the Renal Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.