The Management of the Korle Bu Hospital Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has announced the reopening of its Renal Unit to outpatients.

In a statement issued on November 7, it stated that the Renal Unit was opened on Monday, November 6.

“Management of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) wishes to inform all stakeholders and the general public that the Renal Dialysis Unit was re-opened to outpatients on Monday, November 6, 2023.

"This was subsequent to engagement with the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu last week,” portions of the statement read.

Announcing the reopening, Management also urged Parliament to expedite action on the proposed new fees – GH¢765 to “enable us to recover cost and sustain the service.”

The Renal Unit was shut down on May 22, 2023, with hospital authorities blaming the situation on the removal of tax and excise duty exemption on medical consumables.

This had created a four million cedi debt for the hospital.

The hospital had earlier tried to increase their fees for dialysis from GH¢380 to GH¢765 stating that should they maintain the old fees; the centre would not be able to stay open for more than a week.

Since its closure in May, about 19 renal patients have lost their lives.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the hospital says “The Ministry of Health is working closely with the management of KBTH to offset the GH¢4million debt occasioned by the cost under recoveries.”

“We commend individuals, corporate bodies and other philanthropic organizations who have over the years helped us provide life-saving treatment to our patients.

“It is our hope that other stakeholders and benefactors will also come on board to support in order to prevent a recurrence of the challenges that led to the suspension of dialysis service to outpatients,” it added.

Earlier, the facility started calling patients for laboratory tests.

JoyNews checks at the centre on November 7, revealed that outpatients have begun trooping to undertake the tests.

Speaking to a patient at the centre, he confirmed that he received a call to come and take a test without which he will not be allowed to undergo dialysis when the centre reopens.

“They [management] did not tell me exactly when the centre will be reopened but I am told from outside sources that it is going to be this week,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Health Minister is expected to appear before Parliament on Thursday after concerns were raised by both sides of the house about the dialysis.