The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has refuted claims that Parliament approved the new fees for dialysis treatment introduced by the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).
Instead, the Joaboso Member of Parliament clarified that the house had advocated for the exemption of taxes on the regents used for dialysis.
His statement comes in light of the recent implementation of revised fees for dialysis treatment by the hospital, which has increased from GH¢380 to GH¢491.
The Renal Patients Association of Ghana has expressed concern over this increase, noting the additional financial strain it places on patients who were already struggling to manage the previous bills.
Mr. Akandoh highlighted in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM on Tuesday, May 14, that Parliament did not authorize the increased fees imposed by the hospital.
He emphasized that Parliament’s focus was on removing taxes on dialysis regents, not on raising charges for patients.
Mr. Akandoh assured swift action, stating that Parliament would take necessary steps to ensure a reversal of the fee hike without delay.
He underscored the importance of affordable healthcare access for all citizens, especially those in need of critical treatments like dialysis.
“We never agreed at the committee level that the cost of dialysis must be increased. What happened was that the Ministry of Finance must waive all taxes on the [regent] of dialysis. So, it came to me as a shock when all the media houses were calling to tell me that fees had been increased. I don’t get it.
“Then, when you talk about that they make it sound as though parliament that has done some proposal and has gone ahead to approve it,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Aboagye Da-Costa, has announced that the NHIA will begin its planned support for dialysis treatment on June 1. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday, May 15, Dr. Da-Costa stated that this support will be implemented for the next six months.
This initiative follows Parliament’s approval of GH₵2 million to assist patients in need of dialysis across the country.