How West Africa's biggest public hospital is struggling to keep kidney patients alive
The subject of kidney health and dialysis has been a topical one in Ghana for some months now. The country has about 5 million of its population dealing with some form of kidney challenge, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, West Africa’s biggest public hospital.
Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah raised concerns about the alarming rise in kidney-related illnesses in Ghana, according to Ghanaian-based media outlet GhanaWeb.
In recent times the conversation has been rife in the country following the devastating effects of the closure of the hospital’s renal and dialysis unit in May 2023.
The hospital had been closed for over 6 months owing to debt to the tune of 4 million Ghana cedis (over $300,000) which the renal unit needed to offset.
Renal Unit Reopened
The renal dialysis unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has however been reopened to outpatients.
This was revealed by the management of the hospital on October 7, 2023, in a statement.
According to hospital management, the decision follows engagement talks with the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu on November 3.
The statement said in part, “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”.
The hospital further called on the country’s parliament to “expedite action on the proposed new fees and charges” to enable them to recover costs and sustain the service.
The renal unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has been supported by corporate bodies and other philanthropic organisations whose financial inputs have helped subsidise the cost of dialysis for kidney patients across the country.
Debt
In recent times, the hospital has been burdened with debt and has had to increase the cost of treatment at the unit to enable continuous work.
The hospital increased its fees for dialysis treatment from 380 Ghana cedis ($31) to 765.42 Ghana cedis ($64) in October. According to the hospital management, the increase was necessary because the government had cut off the support it was giving to the renal unit of the hospital.
Speaking to GhanaWeb, Dr Ampomah noted that the adjustment in fees was due to fluctuations in the local currency and inflation which have affected the cost of consumables.
“At present, the prices were set a few years ago, with GHC380 being the most affordable option compared to other facilities. Due to exchange rate fluctuations and inflation, the value of this has diminished so we are not covering our costs for providing the service. This service is not for profit but simply to cover our costs and sustain it,” the CEO said in an interview in October.
Public outrage and patients' dilemma
Many Ghanaians took to various media and social media platforms to express outrage and disappointment after the cost increase announcement by Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
And while many blamed the government for failing to do due diligence, some kidney patients who spoke to some Ghanaian media platforms shared their plight.
Patients including Stephen Okine, a carpenter who has to undergo dialysis twice a week told GhanaWeb that he has to pay Ghana cedis 500 ($41) per session.
“I pay GHC500 ($41) for each session, that is GHC1,000 ($83) so if you don’t have money, you will die,” he said.
Philip Atawurah, a lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Journalism who has been battling kidney disease and had to raise funds through the GoFundMe also told GhanaWeb, “At the moment, my centre, a session is GHC 650 ($54), and that’s just the dialysis. Of course, there has been an increase in prices of dialysis, moving from GHC320 ($26) to GHC 900 ($75) in just 2 years should tell you what the exchange rate has done to us”.
Parliament summons Health Minister
Meanwhile, the Parliament of Ghana has summoned Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu to appear before it on November 9, 2023, to respond to questions regarding the closure of the renal unit of the hospital.
Member of Parliament for Juaboso, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh raised the need for the Minister to explain to the house after the Renal Patients Association stated that more than 19 of its members have died since the outpatient department of the unit was closed in May.
