Diabetics Cry Foul

Stephen Cofie (left) addressing the media. With him is Elizabeth Esi Danquah, Interim Vice Chairperson

MEMBERS OF the Ghana Diabetes Association have expressed their displeasure at the way the Diabetes Clinic at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is being run.

The association says the running of the clinic which is under the management of Professor Albert Amoah is not in the best interest of diabetics who seek medical at the facility.

Addressing the media in Accra on Thursday, Stephen Cofie Interim Chairman of the association said Prof. Amoah who is due for retirement is running the clinic as a one-man show.

'The Korle-Bu Diabetes Clinic is oddly not under the control of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital administration and strangely not under the control of the Ghana Medical School. Professor Amoah who is in charge is not accountable to anyone but himself,' he added.

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The glucometer set
However, Prof. Amoah declined comment when DAILY GUIDE contacted him.

'The centre we insist needs new blood, new ideas even more so the centre needs an endocrinologist as against Prof. Amoah who is a cardiologist,' Mr. Cofie noted.

He explained that a glucometer, a device for determining the approximate concentration of glucose in the blood has 50 strips in a pack and can be purchased at GH¢45.

'However, Prof. Amoah does not allow diabetic patients to buy their own strips for testing, and insists it should be done at the clinic where he charges about GH¢5 per person. This is obviously not fair, and is an avenue for him to make money.'

He indicated that the VAT Amendment Act of 1992 does not cover glucometers but only the strips and called on the Minister of Health to take another look at the act so more diabetics can afford it.

The association has also called for the removal of Prof. Amoah, so the clinic can be run by a diabetic who will understand their plight.

Mr. Cofie said the unavailability of a national policy on diabetes management in the country is another issue of concern.

He said this has resulted in 'diabetics being used as guinea pigs by nurses and doctors at the clinic.'

He called on the authorities to train more nurses in diabetic care while doctors should be encouraged to study endocrinology.

By Esther Awuah