Health Ministry Procures 30 New Dialysis Machines For Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

• The Ministry of Health has acquired 30 additional dialysis machines for the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital's Renal Dialysis Unit
• The initiative by Health Minister, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, is meant to improve the hospital's service delivery and cost efficiency
• The new machines at the hospital are said to be equipped with their own consumables, which are expected to last a year

The Health Ministry has procured 30 additional dialysis machines for the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to improve the hospital’s service delivery and cost efficiency.

The new machines, equipped with their own consumables, will be deployed to the hospital’s Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence and would be installed for use before the close of the year.

The consumables attached to the machines are expected to last a year.

Read also

Okudzeto Ablakwa donates medical equipment worth $1.2 million to Mepe Health Centre

According to the Head of Public Relations of the hospital, Mustapha Salifu, he said the purchase of the machines is an initiative by the Health Minister, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, to prevent future shortages at the hospital.

He told Graphic Online that the new machines are unlike the old ones which require the ordering of consumables from the manufacturers.

The specifications of the new machines allow for consumables to be accessed from the open market at competitive prices, thus ensuring there will be no delays or shortages as has been the norm.

PRO discusses closure of Renal Dialysis Unit

Meanwhile, speaking on the closure of the Renal Dialysis Unit a fortnight ago, Salifu explained that a shortage of essential consumables for dialysis had led to the Unit’s closure.

Read also

Mahama speaks on return of trainee nurses allowances: "Unfortunately, it was 419”

He said the hospital has finally managed to secure a significant quantity of the essential consumables and they were being cleared at the Tema Port.

According to Myjoyonline.com, Salifu disclosed that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ghana Supply Company were working together to expedite the clearance of the consumables from the port.

He revealed that the Renal Unit would be opened for outpatients by tomorrow, August 14, 2024, although inpatients have already started receiving dialysis care since Monday, August 12, 2024.

He apologised on behalf of the hospital for any inconcvenience caused to patients and clients due to the unit’s closure.

"We wish to express gratitude for their restraint and understanding," Salifu added.

Government includes dialysis on NHIS

YEN.com.gh also reported that the government has included dialysis treatment on the National Health Insurance Scheme for six months.

The initiative, which ends in December 2024 is seen as fulfilment of a promise on the NHIS to alleviate the financial burden on patients.

Read also

Kidney patients left stranded as Korle Bu leaves renal unit closed for two weeks

Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh

Source: YEN.com.gh