Outpatients of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s renal unit have finally received a lifeline as the facility reopened after several weeks of closure, during which patients were denied access to crucial dialysis treatments.
The closure had a severe impact on patients like Patience Annan, an end-stage kidney patient who has been struggling with edema, a condition caused by excess fluid buildup in the abdomen.
“As you can see, it’s because when they closed last year, I wasn’t getting access to do it. That’s why my tummy became this big” she shares, visibly distressed.
“That’s the only source that excretes waste products from our body. So if you don’t get it, it’s like the waste is relating in our system, and you know the stress and pain it will cause on our body.”
Today, the renal unit commenced its first session of dialysis at 3 a.m., with 10 patients receiving treatment. The second session is currently underway, providing care for another group of 10. The reopening follows the airlifting of essential dialysis commodities, as announced in a press release from the hospital’s management on August 20th.
Despite the relief, skepticism lingers among some patients who fear that the reopening may only be a temporary solution. The uncertainty surrounding the consistency of the facility’s operations remains a concern for those who depend on regular dialysis to manage their conditions.
In a related development, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the ranking Member of Parliament on the health committee, announced on Starr News that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is planning to scrap taxes on dialysis consumables in its upcoming manifesto. “His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has reiterated… there is going to be a renal encounter fund. We will have a special money for that particular fund to run issues of Dialysis and then cancer in this country. We are going to see the scrapping of taxes, the waiver of taxes on these consumables. I am very, very sure and clear in my mind that this is going to happen”, says Mr. Akandoh
As the unit resumes operations, patients like Patience Annan remain hopeful but wary, knowing that their well-being solely lies on the stability and accessibility of these vital services.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mary Asantewaa Buabeng
