Distraught kidney disease patients lament frequent closure of ‘Korle Bu’ Dialysis Centre

Asabea, a 31-year-old patient, is not pregnant.

The swelling in her abdomen is due to her inability to undergo dialysis after the renal unit at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital was shut down for three weeks.

“I haven’t passed urine since November 21, 2021, the day I was diagnosed,” Asabea shared, joining her fellow patients after the facility’s recent reopening. The closure was a devastating blow for her, as she relies heavily on regular dialysis to manage her condition.

Gladys Ahiakpor, 42, another kidney patient, is also struggling. Unable to receive frequent dialysis treatments, she appears weary, with swollen feet and yellowish eyes, a sign of her deteriorating health. She feels hopeless, unsure of what the future holds.

“I don’t have money for dialysis even though Korle Bu is quite cheap. I can stay home for a week without dialysis and blood comes out of my nose,” she said.

Some of them have developed sores on their legs further worsening their condition.

The President of the Kidney Patients Association, Baffour Ahenkorah, expressed concern that the reopening of the unit may be short-lived. “We are afraid this might not be sustained for long.”

The Public Relations Officer for Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Mustapha Salifu explained that the delay was due to crucial consumables being stuck at the port since June, owing to incorrect shipping documents.

The CEO of the hospital, Dr Opoku ware Ampomah has assured plans are underway to purchase new machines to resolve the challenge.

“There was a problem with the vendor. We have a new rep who delivers and is very proactive from South Africa. We’ve been assured they are bringing on board 30 dialysis machines which were owed to us from 2017. The Minister of Health has also promised 30 dialysis machines which will brought soon. Hopefully, before the year ends to manage the situation,“ he assured.

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