The Renal Patients Association of Ghana has expressed concerns over the recent hike in dialysis costs from GH¢380 to GH¢491, posing a significant financial burden on patients.
Advertisement
According to Major Baffour Kojo Ahenekorah, spokesperson for the group, this surge in expenses comes on the heels of their previous opposition to a similar upward adjustment earlier this year.
Ahenekorah emphasized that the latest increase will further strain already struggling patients, making it increasingly challenging for them to afford essential treatments.
He called upon philanthropic organizations to extend assistance to patients while awaiting parliament’s reconvening on Friday, May 17, 2024, to address the issue.
Advertisement
“This increase will have a significant impact on us. Many patients already struggle to afford the previous GH¢380 fee, and now, with the cost rising to GH¢491, the situation will worsen. Some patients have even resorted to skipping sessions due to financial constraints, which poses a major challenge for us,” Ahenekorah stated.
“We’ve been informed that the new pricing stems from decisions made in parliament. As parliament is currently on recess, we eagerly await their return. It’s been reported that they will reconvene on Friday, and we hope to engage with the Parliamentary Select Committee to address this issue. In the meantime, we urge all organizations to lend their support, as we are unable to bear the costs alone,” he added.
With Ghana having a population of 30.8 million people, there are approximately 15,400 patients suffering from kidney failure, as per research published on BMC Health Research Services.
Leave a Reply