Dialysis crisis: Call Korle Bu CEO and Finance Minister to order — Dr Anaba tells Akufo-Addo

Dr. Thomas Anaba

The Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Health Policy Research and Analysis, Dr. Thomas Anaba has issued a pressing call to President Akufo-Addo, urging him to intervene in the recent surge in dialysis costs at Korle-Bu Hospital.

Dr. Anaba's plea stems from the exorbitant increment in dialysis charges, a move that has sparked outrage among patients and stakeholders.

The controversy surrounding this escalation extends beyond Korle-Bu Hospital, with similar hikes reported in public hospitals nationwide. At the crux of the issue is management's assertion that the adjustment aligns with parliamentary approval of a new fee structure. Notably, this comes on the heels of a failed attempt last September to nearly double the dialysis cost, which was swiftly rebuffed following public outcry and parliamentary scrutiny.

Under the management's decision, the expense for dialysis has surged from GHS380 to GHS491 purportedly to cover operational costs. However, this hike has left patients scrambling to meet the additional financial burden, with some facing the grim of being turned away due to inability to pay.

"The leader of the country must call the Finance Ministry and the Chief Executive Officer of Korle-Bu to order," Dr. Anaba emphasized, stressing the need for urgent government intervention to address the escalating dialysis costs.

"Government must cushion renal patients. They shouldn’t promise some monies in NHIA and we don’t know where the money is going and patients are still grubbling," Dr. Anaba highlighted in an interview with Starr News monitored by ModernGhana.com while underscoring the need for transparency in healthcare funding.

Moreover, Dr. Anaba cites examples from other African nations where such subsidies exist. He called upon authorities to demonstrate compassion and follow suit to reduce the financial burden on dialysis patients.

Echoing these sentiments, Public Health Analyst James McKeown Amoah advocated for corporate support to alleviate the financial strain on renal patients.

Similarly, Kojo Baffour Ahenkorah, President of the Renal Patients Association of Ghana, urged parliament to reassess the dialysis cost increment, questioning its purported approval.

As the debate rages on, stakeholders continue to push for swift action to ensure equitable access to essential healthcare services for renal patients across the nation.