Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) says measures are being put in place to clear the consumables needed by renal patients which are currently stuck at the Tema port.

The assurance comes days after members of the Renal Patients Association at Korle Bu expressed frustration over the government's delayed response in clearing these essential dialysis consumables.

The association in an interview had vowed to picket at the Renal Unit on Wednesday, August 21, if the issue is not resolved promptly.

Speaking to the media, the Association’s spokesperson, Kojo Baffour Ahenkora, highlighted the dire situation faced by renal patients who depend on these consumables for life-saving dialysis treatment.

According to Mr Ahenkora, the cost of treatment has become unbearably high due to the shortage of these vital supplies, placing many patients in life-threatening positions.

“It’s very expensive, very expensive. This morning, I paid GH₵800 for a session. Most of us are supposed to do it twice or three times a week. Where are we going to get the money from? It’s only the government sector or Korle Bu that takes GH₵400 which is not even cheap, almost close to GH₵500 in a session,” Mr Ahenkora stressed.

• Read also: Renal patients at Korle Bu vow to picket over uncleared consumables at Tema Port

But reacting to the threat to picket, the Public Relations Officer for the hospital, Mustapha Salifu, said the items will soon be cleared for normal operations to resume.

“We have apologised on several occasions for this challenge and we continue to entreat them that they should exercise restraint and that we have gotten a commitment from the Ministry [of Health] that we will have this thing cleared.

“They have already endured for over two weeks now. They should let us work cooperatively as we usually do so that we can clear the container at the port and then resume normal operations,” he said.