Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has finally heeded the cry of the public to reopen the renal dialysis unit to outpatients following the health minister’s directive.
The unit was closed in May for partial rehabilitation, only to reopen to patients at a very high cost.
Serious concerns raised about the proposed cost of GHC380 to GHC765.42 resulted in the facility’s immediate closure, despite the fact that intensive care was being provided for serious ailments that required immediate intervention.
Management has launched an intensive investigation internally into how the proposed increase in services was charged to patients when Parliament had not approved it.
The closure of the facility prompted a public outcry, with Parliament summoning the Minister of Health over the matter to brief the House.
Even before he appeared on Thursday, November 9, Kwaku Agyeman Manu directed the management of the hospital to readmit outpatients.
The directive was given on Thursday, November 2, according to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Health, Isaac Baah Ofei.
“The Minister has directed the Chief Executive Officer of Korle-Bu to, as a matter of urgency, see to the opening of the center, and so he directed as well that it be opened,” Mr. Baah Offei disclosed in an interview on TV3.
TV3‘s reporter from the unit said on Tuesday, November 7, that despite being reopened to outpatients, they have been queried to bring laboratory results before scheduling for dialysis.
In his view, it is a precautionary measure against potential bacteria from the procedures done in the recent past at private centers.
“I am a bit relieved,” a kidney patient said.
“At least, it’s quite better than doing it outside. I am more comfortable doing it over here than outside. Korle Bu is the best.”
But some of the patients have raised concerns that the facilities at the unit may break down due to pressure from the over 251 of them seeking care.
According to them, if the government does not store up the number of pieces of equipment at the unit, it may be closed down again in the next month.