According to a myjoyonline report, over 90% of Ghanaian kidney failure patients who desperately need dialysis are being denied access for the treatment. The online portal sourced their publication from a yet-to-be-released study, titled “50 years of Hemodialysis in Ghana: current status, utilisation and cost of dialysis services.” Patients suffering from End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) need dialysis treatment.
The said study, authored by Elliot Koranteng Tannor and his team, reveals alarming statistics on the harsh reality of the situation in Ghana. It says that the overall dialysis prevalence is just 38.8 patients per million people. This means that out of every one million Ghanaians, only 38.8 are receiving dialysis treatment. Globally, the average is 296 per million and 79 per million in Africa.
Reports indicate that the average for other low-and-middle-income countries stands at 68 per million. The global figures suggest that Ghana should have around 15,400 patients requiring dialysis, but the current number is 1,195. These figures paint a very gloomy picture of Ghana, with regards to patients in dire need of dialysis.
The few treatments available cost an arm and a leg. There is a growing concern in the country over the cost of dialysis treatment, following the 100 percent increase in the cost of the service at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. It emerged on social media last week that the hospital had served notice of an intended upward adjustment of the cost of dialysis from GH¢380 to GH¢765.14 from September 26, 2023.
A patient needs this treatment at least twice a week, translating into over GH¢1,500 a week and GH¢3,000 a month.
The public was enraged, and justifiably so, about the sharp increase considering the economic difficulties. If a government hospital charges this amount, then your guess is as good as mine, should a patient attend a private hospital for the same treatment.
The reason for the increase was said to be due to the rising cost, but the hospital management has come out to state that it has reverted to the initial cost.
The Chronicle took the pain to check on the age range of the patients and how regularly people are diagnosed. We were shocked to learn that even the youth are in a race with the elderly for kidney failure on a daily basis.
Considering the alarming rate of infection and the cost of treatment, we agree with people who have argued that the government should absorb the cost of dialysis into the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The state should facilitate for hospitals in the country to have several of these dialysis machines to cater for the ballooning number of patients. Through that, the cost will not be so expensive, because the machines will be in abundance across hospitals in the country.
However, it is our considered view that treating the ailment is in no way less expensive than preventing it.
We understand the need for the state to provide healthcare facilities and make service delivery affordable to citizens, but past events have proven contrary, thus the need to fight for your salvation with fear and trembling.
One is more likely to develop kidney disease if they have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or a family history of kidney failure. The Chronicle is not oblivious to the fact that nature can take its course. We are only advising against our actions and inactions that could lead us to suffer end-stage renal disease.
We have provided above what can lead to kidney failure, with the view that preventing those ailments keeps one from paying the cost of dialysis. It is also important to drink at least three litres of water daily. This is the same as six sachets of water. Eating healthy and staying away from alcohol are ways to prevent kidney failure, as well as preventing self-medication and the intake of concoctions.
