Despite numerous setbacks and unfulfilled promises, the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s renal unit is finally set to reopen its doors to outpatient services today, bringing a glimmer of hope for patients in urgent need of dialysis treatments.
The unit had been closed since May 22, 2023, causing immense inconvenience and hardship for patients who had to seek treatment elsewhere.
The hospital management’s repeated failures to adhere to its reopening timelines had created frustration and uncertainty among patients and their families.
On Friday, November 3, an agreement was reached to reopen the unit on November 6, but this commitment was not honored, further exacerbating the patients’ plight.
Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang-Manu had earlier instructed an immediate reopening of the unit, however, this directive faced delays in implementation, leaving patients in limbo.
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minority’s spokesperson on health, had expressed his frustration, criticizing the Health Minister for the delayed enforcement of his directive.
He emphasized the urgent need for better management and funding to prevent such crises in the future.
Furthermore, a partial reopening of the unit on Wednesday, September 27, came with an unexpected burden for patients. The hospital announced a substantial increase in the cost of dialysis treatment per session, soaring from GH¢380 to GHS¢765.42, placing an additional financial strain on the already struggling patients.
Despite these challenges, the management assured patients on Monday evening that the unit would resume operations on Tuesday, November 7.
Today, the doors of the Korle-Bu Renal Unit would finally reopen, offering a glimmer of hope for the patients and their families who have endured months of uncertainty and hardship.