Patients with kidney failure may soon face significantly increased costs for their care. Korle-Bu University Hospital, the country’s largest public facility, recently announced plans to increase dialysis prices by 100%. A decision which sparked controversy and concern among the population.
Until now, Ghanaian patients had to pay around 380 cedis, or 30 euros, for a dialysis session. However, with this price increase, the cost could reach up to 800 cedis, or 65 euros. This decision was described as “illegal” by the Ministry of Health, especially since the hospital did not inform the government of its decision. A meeting was called to request explanations from the management of the establishment.
According to Korle-Bu University Hospital, this price increase is driven by increasing operational costs and the removal of state subsidies. High port fees, higher import taxes and other factors were also cited to justify the decision. The spokesperson for the establishment stressed that this situation jeopardized the sustainability of the dialysis center.
The hospital claims that it does not make any profit from this price increase, but that it would allow it to continue to offer a quality service. However, the announcement has sparked serious concerns among Ghanaian patients who are already struggling to cover current dialysis costs. This increase in costs has been heavily criticized during recent protests against the cost of living, where one protester even spoke of losing a loved one due to the inability to afford treatment costs.
In Ghana, around 1,200 people regularly visit dialysis centers to filter waste from their bodies and maintain an acceptable quality of life. This increase in prices risks making access to this vital care even more difficult for many patients.
It is essential that the Ghanaian authorities take swift action to respond to this situation and ensure equitable access to affordable dialysis treatment for all patients. The issue of healthcare financing and access to life-saving treatments remains a major challenge in many countries around the world, and it is crucial to find sustainable solutions to ensure quality care for all.