Cost of Dialysis In Ghana: Korle Bu Blames High Taxes And Removal Of Subsidies For 100% Hike

• The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has said it is imperative to increase the cost of dialysis treatment because the unit may cease to exist due to operational and other costs
• PRO of the hospital Mustapha Salifu has said the government used to subsidise some of the cost for the treatment but not anymore
• He also disclosed that high port charges and other taxes threaten the continuous existence of the dialysis unit

Ghana's biggest public hospital has justified a 100% increase in the cost of dialysis, blaming high taxes and the removal of government subsidies.

Public Relations Officer, Mustapha Salifu, said Korle Bu's decision to increase the cost of the treatment is justified because of an increase in operational cost.

“Previously some of the variables were actually being taken care of by the state. But now we have had to pay for everything ourselves and all those things are factored into it...we used to get tax exemptions when we were clearing these items. But now you have to pay for the import duty and other taxes that are related to it," he said.

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Salifu made the justification when he spoke on Joy News.

Last week, Korle Bu grabbed headlines after a notice at the dialysis unit announced an increase from GH¢380 to GH¢765.42.

For many, the astronomical increase is yet another example of harsh conditions under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government.

A patient at the dialysis unit, Thomas Cann, has said the price hike is threatening.

"We're losing a lot of lives, I'm afraid I won't make it in the coming weeks or days," he told 3 News.

Dialysis unit could close down if cost of treatment is not increased

Salifu explained that the dialysis unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital could close down if the cost of treatment is not increased.

He said the dialysis unit would not make a profit due to the increase, but it would break even to enable it to provide quality services to its patients.

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The increase is expected to be replicated in other regional hospitals citing an increase in prices of consumables.

Dialysis is a procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly. It often involves diverting blood to a machine to be cleaned.

National Security Minister sues Barker-Vormawor for GH¢10m

Meanwhile, in the news, YEN.com.gh reported that FixTheCountry Convener Oliver Barker-Vormawor has been sued by the National Security Minister over a bribery claim.

Albert Kan Dapaah says an allegation by the Barker-Vormawor that he (Kan Dapaah) tried to bribe him with $1 million and government jobs to stop his activism is false.

Albert Kan Dapaah is demanding GH¢10 million in general damages including aggravated damages for defamation.

Airport Company fined GH¢200k

Also, the Ghana Airport Company has been slapped with GH¢200,000 by the Right to Information Commission.

The Aiport Company has failed to release information on the details of the contract it has signed with Frontiers Healthcare Services.

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Frontiers was solely responsible for COVID-19 testing at Kotoka International Airport and was accused of making undue profits at the expense of the state.

NDC joins forces with AriseGhana and other groups for October 3 demonstration

In other news, another mammoth demonstration in Accra is loading, as NDC join forces with smaller political parties and civil society organisation for a protest on October 3.

The demonstration is dubbed OccupyBoG and organisers hope to use it to demand the resignation of the Governor of the central bank, Dr. Ernest Addison, and his deputies.

NDC, the political parties and the civil society groups say the Governor of the Bank of Ghana and his deputies have mismanaged state resources.

Source: YEN.com.gh