Ghanaian kidney patients in crisis as dialysis costs surge to GHC491.

Kidney  patients in Ghana are in a desperate situation, struggling to access vital dialysis treatments as prices soar, putting their lives at risk.

A drastic price hike from 380 to 491 has made dialysis unaffordable for numerous patients, thrusting them into a state of despair and hopelessness.

Kidney patients, already shouldering the burden of managing their health, are now facing an unprecedented crisis as they struggle to cope with the exorbitant costs of treatment. The recent price hike, approved by Parliament, has pushed many to the brink of despair.

Abigail Ohenewaa Mintah, a kidney patient, shared her heart-wrenching experience with 3news.com, revealing that she was forced to skip a crucial dialysis session due to the unaffordable costs. Mintah poignantly described the emotional and physical toll, saying, ‘I’m hungry but can’t eat, and it’s taking a heavy toll on me because I fear gaining too much weight, which could worsen my condition.’

This situation is a stark reminder of the human cost of unaffordable healthcare. Patients like Mintah are being forced to make impossible choices between their health and their financial stability.

The price hike has not only added to their financial burden but also exacerbated their emotional distress. The fact that Parliament approved this hike raises questions about the priorities of our healthcare system and the value we place on human life.

It’s imperative that we find a solution to this crisis, ensuring that patients receive the life-saving treatment they need without being pushed into financial ruin.

Kwaku Kwarteng, another patient, shared similar concerns, revealing the widespread fear caused by the financial strain, saying, “You’re now afraid to drink water or eat, unsure of how to fund your dialysis.” The situation has prompted Kojo Bafour Ahenkora, president of the Dialysis Patients Association, to criticize the timing of the price hike, suggesting it could have been delayed until efforts to include dialysis costs in the National Health Insurance Scheme were complete.

READ: https://newsghana24.com/the-failure-of-multi-party-democracy-in-ghana-parliaments-neglect-of-social-issues-and-fiscal-responsibility/

Ahenkora urged authorities to reconsider, emphasizing, “If Parliament approved this, we implore them to revisit the issue and take action.” Discussions around dialysis have long been prominent, with treatment costs and machine shortages remaining persistent problems. As patients continue to struggle with the financial burden, their call for affordable access to essential healthcare grows louder.