The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has reopened its Renal Unit to outpatients after a five-month closure, following a directive from the Ministry of Health.
The closure, which took place in May for partial renovations and due to a lack of consumables, had caused considerable public concern.
Upon reopening in October 2023, the proposed fee increase from GH¢380 to GH¢765.42 triggered patient and public outrage, leading to a temporary closure of the facility.
During this period, the unit continued to provide intensive care for emergency cases.
Mr. Kwaku Agyemang Manu, the Minister of Health, instructed the hospital's management to readmit outpatients, resulting in the recent reopening.
Mr. Baffour Kojo Ahenkra, President of the Renal Patients Association, described the reopening of the Renal Unit as a significant step forward for renal patients in the country.
Patients seeking treatment at the unit have been asked to provide laboratory test results as a preventive measure against potential infections arising from recent procedures at private centres.
Mr Ahenkra explained, “The normal practice is that since the place was closed for five months, we need to do some lab tests to check HIV, Hepatitis B and C for them to check and see if we are free from any bacterial infection after visiting other private centres during the period.”
However, due to the limited number of dialysis machines and consumables, outpatients will only be entitled to one dialysis session per week instead of the previous two.
Mr Ahenkra urged the government to provide additional dialysis equipment and reduce taxes on consumables to ensure that patients can attend their weekly sessions.
He expressed concern that the unit would be under significant strain due to the influx of ward, emergency, and outpatient cases, as the current 15 machines may not be sufficient to meet the needs of the numerous patients.
Patients like Mr Enock Brako from Kyebi in the Eastern Region have welcomed the reopening of the Renal Unit.
Mr. Brako emphasized his preference for undergoing tests and treatments at Korle-Bu rather than at private centres. He said, “I am more comfortable doing it at Korle-Bu than outside.”