Director of Legal Affairs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Edudzi Kudzo Tamakloe, has expressed deep concern regarding the recent increase in the price of kidney dialysis treatment at the renowned Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana.
The cost of this critical life-saving therapy has risen sharply, escalating from GH¢380 to an alarming GH¢768.22, causing significant distress among many Ghanaians.
In a heartfelt appeal, Edudzi Kudzo Tamakloe implored the management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to reconsider their decision. He underscored the importance of not prioritizing profit at the expense of the well-being of patients, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers the welfare of the individuals seeking medical care.
“I woke up thinking about this notice at Korle Bu. Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is not a private hospital to be focused on only making profit. I want to plead with the management of the hospital to reverse this death sentence on Ghanaian patients. I know friends and families that require dialysis to survive. In the meantime, let’s take good care of our kidneys by drinking enough water. Reverse the increase in the cost of dialysis treatment,” Tameklo shared on Facebook.
The startling rise in the cost of dialysis treatment has left many Ghanaians active on social media perplexed and concerned.
Reports indicate that the management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has informed patients of a substantial increase in the price of dialysis, soaring from GH¢380 to an exorbitant GH¢765.42.
On the popular social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), one Ghanaian expressed their apprehension about how individuals requiring dialysis treatment would manage such a significant cost escalation.
This development has triggered widespread anxiety among citizens, who are deeply troubled by the accessibility and affordability of vital medical services at one of the country’s most prestigious healthcare institutions.
Moreover, the surge in the cost of dialysis treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has raised pertinent questions about the healthcare system’s capacity to provide essential services to those in need.
Kidney dialysis is a crucial medical procedure employed to treat individuals grappling with kidney failure or severe kidney dysfunction.
Its primary objective is to replicate the essential functions of the kidneys, which encompass filtering waste products and excess fluids from the bloodstream, regulating electrolyte levels, and maintaining an optimal fluid balance within the body.
When the kidneys falter in performing these critical functions adequately, dialysis emerges as a necessary intervention to uphold the patient’s health and overall well-being.
Hemodialysis stands out as the most prevalent form of dialysis. During a hemodialysis session, a patient’s blood is extracted from their body and directed into a specialized apparatus called a dialyzer.
Within the dialyzer, the blood traverses a network of fine tubes immersed in a solution known as dialysate. This solution plays a pivotal role in expelling waste products and surplus fluids from the bloodstream.
Following the purification process, the cleansed blood is then returned to the patient’s body. Hemodialysis is typically administered in specialized dialysis centers or hospital settings.