Kidney patients who rely on the Renal Unit at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in the Central Region have expressed deep frustration following the unexpected closure of the unit this week.
The sudden shutdown has left many patients uncertain about their ongoing treatment and facing increased costs and travel burdens.
Hospital officials cited routine maintenance as the reason for the closure. However, patients who spoke to JoyNews on June 13 expressed distress over the lack of communication and clarity surrounding the situation.
“We had to come for dialysis, and unfortunately, we came to the unit and then we were informed that it has been closed for services. For now, we don’t know the details, but all we know is that it is as a result of technical challenges,” one patient explained.
This patient, like many others, now has to travel to either Takoradi or Accra for treatment, incurring higher costs.
This closure comes shortly after the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) announced the commencement of a six-month free dialysis support program for renal patients, running from June to December 2024.
The NHIS support program is aimed at alleviating the financial burden on renal patients, with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) dividing beneficiaries into two categories: vulnerable groups (patients aged below 18 and above 60) and those aged 18 to 59 years.
According to the scheme, “patients under 18 and above 60 years will receive all eight free dialysis sessions per month,” with a cumulative cost estimated to be approximately GH₵2.3 million.
Despite this initiative, there have been reports of implementation issues. Nearly a week ago, some patients at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi reported that they had yet to benefit from the program.
One patient explained to JoyNews’ Nana Boakye Yiadom that he was still required to pay for his dialysis sessions, as the hospital had not yet received a notice to commence the free dialysis program.
The closure of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital’s Renal Unit has exacerbated these frustrations, leaving patients in a difficult position as they seek essential medical care.
The NHIA and hospital authorities have yet to provide a detailed response to the patients’ concerns, but the situation underscores the urgent need for effective communication and swift implementation of support programs to ensure that vulnerable patients receive the care they need.
As the NHIS program continues, kidney patients across the country are hopeful that the promised free dialysis sessions will soon become a reality, providing much-needed relief from the financial strain of their treatment.