In a startling turn of events, the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Ghana has found itself at the center of a controversy surrounding the steep increase in fees charged for dialysis treatment. The Member of Parliament for Juaboso Constituency, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has taken a stand, urging the hospital’s management to refund the excess fees collected from patients suffering from kidney disease.
The Fee Hike Controversy
The uproar began when it was discovered that the cost of dialysis at Korle-Bu had surged to GHC765.42 per session, a staggering increase from the previous rate of GHC350.00. What made this development even more contentious was the revelation that this price hike had not been approved by Ghana’s Parliament.
Mr. Akandoh expressed his concerns, saying, “Parliament was never informed about any intended price increase in the cost of dialysis at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. We only learned of it just three days ago through the media that Korle-Bu is charging GHC765.42p instead of GHC 350.00, which was strange.”
Calls for Refund or Adjustment
In an interview with Yaa Titi on Onua TV/FM’s Pae Muka show, Mr. Akandoh, who serves as the Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, called for immediate action. He urged the hospital’s management to either refund the excess fees to affected patients or allow them to utilize the difference in subsequent visits.
He elaborated on the issue, stating, “This increment comes as a shock to us because we know the government grants the hospital tax reliefs and exemptions for the machinery they import for such diseases. But we were just told the government has taken away all these incentives, making it more costly to import such machinery into the country. What they did is illegal; Parliament was never informed, so that makes the money they took illegal.”
The Parliamentary Process
Mr. Akandoh shed light on the proper procedure that should have been followed for such fee adjustments. He explained that the hospital was supposed to submit a proposal through the sector minister, which would then be forwarded to the Minister of Finance and ultimately to Parliament. This process would allow officials to express their intentions for the increase and provide reasons for it.
Hospital’s Response
In the midst of the controversy, on September 26, 2023, the KBTH increased the cost of renal dialysis from GHS¢350 to GHS¢765.42. This move was met with outcry from patients and the public, who deemed the new fee unaffordable.
However, on Thursday, September 28, the hospital’s management issued a statement acknowledging that the proposed fee had not yet received approval. The statement read, “Any proposed fee will be forwarded to Parliament through the Ministry of Health for approval. It is only after the due parliamentary approval that any revised fees will be implemented.”
The Ministry’s Involvement
Meanwhile, authorities at the Ministry of Health have reportedly invited the management of KBTH to a meeting to discuss the matter further. This development signals a potential resolution to the ongoing controversy surrounding the dialysis cost increase.
In conclusion, the call for a refund of the allegedly illegal fees and the involvement of parliamentary procedures emphasize the importance of transparency and accountability in healthcare. The situation at KBTH serves as a reminder of the significant impact that healthcare decisions can have on individuals and the need for proper channels to be followed when adjusting fees for critical services.
FAQs
- Why did the cost of dialysis at Korle-Bu Hospital increase so significantly?
The cost of dialysis at Korle-Bu Hospital increased from GHC350.00 to GHC765.42, which sparked controversy. This increase had not been approved by Ghana’s Parliament. - What action has the Member of Parliament, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, taken in response to the fee hike?
MP Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has called on the hospital’s management to either refund the excess fees charged to patients or allow them to utilize the difference in subsequent visits. - What is the proper procedure for adjusting fees at the hospital, as explained by Mr. Akandoh?
According to Mr. Akandoh, the hospital should have submitted a proposal through the sector minister, which would then be forwarded to the Minister of Finance and ultimately to Parliament for approval. - What is the hospital’s response to the controversy over the fee increase?
The hospital’s management has acknowledged that the proposed fee had not yet received parliamentary approval and stated that any revised fees would be implemented only after such approval. - What is the Ministry of Health’s role in this matter?
The Ministry of Health has reportedly invited the management of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to a meeting to discuss the dialysis cost increase, indicating potential steps toward resolution.