The Minority in Parliament is calling for the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) to refund excess illegal fees charged to dialysis patients at the hospital’s Renal Unit’s outpatient department.
The controversy arose when the head of the dialysis unit at KBTH announced an increase in the cost of renal dialysis from GHS¢380 to GHS¢765.42. This price hike sparked public outrage, with concerns about the affordability of the treatment.
However, the management of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has clarified that they have not yet implemented the reviewed dialysis cost announced by the facility.
In a statement signed by the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minority in Parliament demanded an immediate refund of the excess illegal fees levied on dialysis patients at the hospital’s Renal Unit outpatient department.
The statement read, “Refunds in terms of cash or an offer to provide dialysis services to offset the difference between the original and adjusted prices is the right thing to do and will go a long way to demonstrate to patients that the hospital is sensitive to their plight and is willing to do right by them.”
The Minority also urged the government to work diligently to ensure the equitable distribution of health equipment such as dialysis machines across the country.
“In conclusion, we would like to call on the government to consider working assiduously to ensure equitable distribution of health resources and equipment, such as dialysis machines, across the country,” the statement concluded.
The demand for a refund comes in response to concerns about the increased financial burden placed on dialysis patients and the need for accessible and affordable healthcare services in Ghana.
