Korle Bu Dialysis Shutdown Worsens Health of Kidney Patients, Temporary Reopening Raises Concerns
Asabea, a 31-year-old patient, is struggling with severe health complications due to her inability to receive regular dialysis treatments after the renal unit at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital was closed for three weeks.
Despite not being pregnant, her abdomen is swollen, a condition exacerbated by the lack of dialysis.
“I don’t have money for dialysis even though Korle Bu is quite cheap. I can stay home for a week without dialysis, and blood comes out of my nose,” she explained, highlighting the dire consequences of the shutdown on her health.
Many patients like Asabea are facing worsening conditions, with some developing sores on their legs due to the prolonged absence of necessary medical treatment. The President of the Kidney Patients Association, Baffour Ahenkorah, voiced concerns that the recent reopening of the unit might be temporary. “We are afraid this might not be sustained for long,” he said, reflecting the anxiety among patients about the future of their care.
The Public Relations Officer for Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Mustapha Salifu, explained that the delay in reopening the unit was caused by essential consumables being stuck at the port since June, due to incorrect shipping documents. The hospital’s CEO, Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, assured that steps are being taken to address the issue, including the purchase of new dialysis machines.
“There was a problem with the vendor. We have a new representative who is very proactive from South Africa. We’ve been assured they are bringing on board 30 dialysis machines, which were owed to us since 2017. The Minister of Health has also promised 30 dialysis machines that will arrive soon. Hopefully, before the year ends, we can manage the situation,”
Dr. Ampomah stated, offering a glimmer of hope to the patients dependent on the hospital’s services.
The situation underscores the critical need for sustained support and reliable infrastructure in Ghana’s healthcare system, particularly for vulnerable patients who rely on life-saving treatments like dialysis.
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