Renal patients at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital are planning to stage a protest on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the Renal Unit. The protest is in response to the authorities’ failure to clear essential consumables stuck at the port, leading to a shortage of critical supplies.
The shortage has forced the Renal Unit to close for three weeks, depriving patients of vital medical care. Korle Bu’s Public Relations Officer, Mustapha Salifu, explained that the closure resulted from the shortage, but assured that efforts are being made to clear the consumables.
However, the Renal Patients Association’s spokesperson, Kojo Baffour Ahenkora, expressed frustration, accusing the government of lacking urgency in resolving the issue. According to Ahenkora, the shortage is putting patients’ lives at serious risk, and the government’s inaction is exacerbating the situation.
The patients are demanding immediate intervention from the government, particularly the Minister of Finance and the GRA boss, to expedite the release of the essential supplies from Tema Harbour. The patients are forced to pay GH¢800 per session for private dialysis, a cost many cannot afford, and are seeking a solution from the government.
The Renal Patients Association has vowed to picket and remain at the hospital until their demands are met, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The patients are pleading with the authorities to release the consumables stuck at the port, warning that they will take action if their demands are not met by Wednesday.
