The Renal Dialysis Unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has been reopened to outpatients following an order from the Minister of Health.

The unit had been temporarily closed in May for renovation, and when it was reopened, patients were faced with increased costs, ranging from GH¢380 to GH¢765.42.

Protests erupted due to these proposed higher charges, prompting the immediate closure of the facility, even though it continued to provide intensive care for severe cases.

The hospital's management also initiated an internal inquiry into the pricing, as it had not received parliamentary approval.

The closure of the facility sparked public outrage, leading to Parliament summoning the Minister of Health to address the issue. Prior to his appearance on Thursday, November 9, Kwaku Agyeman Manu instructed the hospital's management to admit outpatients once again.

This directive was issued on Thursday, November 2, according to Isaac Baah Ofei, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Health.

“The Minister has directed the Chief Executive Officer of Korle-Bu to, as a matter of urgency, see to the opening of the centre, and so he directed as well that it be opened,” Mr Baah Offei disclosed in an interview on TV3.

On Tuesday, November 7, Godwin Asediba of TV3 reported from the unit that, although it has been reopened to outpatients, they are now required to provide laboratory results before being scheduled for dialysis.

This measure has been implemented as a precautionary step to guard against the potential introduction of bacteria from procedures conducted at private centres in the recent past.

“I am a bit relieved,” a kidney patient said.

“At least, it’s quite better than doing it outside. I am more comfortable doing it over here than outside. Korle Bu is the best.”

But some of the patients have raised concerns that the facilities at the unit may break down due to pressure from the over 251 of them seeking care.

According to them, if government does not beef up the number of pieces of equipment at the unit, it may be shut down again in the next month or two.