The Minority in Parliament is insisting that the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) refund the excessive and unauthorized fees charged to dialysis patients at the Renal Unit’s outpatient department.
This demand comes in response to a notice issued by the head of the hospital’s dialysis unit, which indicated a significant increase in the cost of renal dialysis from GHS¢380 to GHS¢765.42. This sudden fee hike had triggered widespread concerns about the affordability of the vital medical procedure.
The management of KBTH subsequently clarified that the revised dialysis cost had not been implemented and required parliamentary approval.
In a statement signed by Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, the Minority in Parliament called for the immediate refund of the excess fees collected from dialysis patients at the Renal Unit’s outpatient department.
They suggested that the refund could be in the form of cash or by providing additional dialysis services to compensate for the price difference, emphasizing the need for the hospital to show sensitivity to the patients’ concerns.
Furthermore, the Minority urged the government to take proactive measures to ensure the equitable distribution of health equipment, including dialysis machines, across the country.
Read statement by Minority below:
REFUND ILLEGAL DIALYSIS FEES TO AFFECTED PATIENTS OF THE KORLE BU TEACHING HOSPITAL’S RENAL DIALYSIS UNIT – MINORITY DEMANDS
The Minority in Parliament demands that with immediate effect the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital refunds the excess illegal fees it levied on dialysis patient at the outpatient department of its Renal Unit.
Although this may not be enough restitution to placate patients who may have suffered needlessly from the hospital’s earlier decision, 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.
We have taken note that our timely intervention calling on hospital authorities to reverse the unauthorized and illegal increase in dialysis fees has led to the hospital acknowledging that the fees were prematurely adjusted, not having gone through the necessary steps required for such adjustments. Therefore, we expect an immediate return to the previous fee structure.
Beyond addressing the immediate concerns, we firmly believe that Korle Bu, as a reputable healthcare institution, must undertake comprehensive institutional reforms. These reforms should aim to prevent the recurrence of such avoidable mistakes. It is imperative to establish robust structures and processes that guarantee transparency, accountability, and oversight within the hospital’s financial operations. This will not only enhance patient trust but also ensure that the hospital operates efficiently and effectively.
Government must also work towards automating the exemptions regime for the procurement of health consumables and equipment to do away with the current system where health facilities are required to apply to the Minister responsible for Finance for duty waivers and exemptions for each import consignment. The current situation is unacceptable considering the advances we claim to have been instituted at our ports.
In conclusion, we will like to call on government to consider working assiduously to ensure equitable distribution of health resources and equipment such as dialysis machines across the country. We believe that in 2023, every district hospital should at the very least have one dialysis machine available to persons living within that district.
We want to assure the people of Ghana of our unwavering commitment to championing the needs of ordinary citizens under this government. Together, we can build a healthcare system that serves the best interests of all.
Thank you, and may God bless our beloved homeland Ghana.
—signed—
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
(Ranking Member – Parliamentary Select Committee on Health
