Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has taken a significant step to boost its renal services by securing 30 brand-new dialysis machines, a move that promises to revolutionize patient care and increase cost efficiency. This critical enhancement, facilitated by the Ministry of Health, is set to alleviate the immense pressure the hospital has faced in recent months.
The arrival of these dialysis machines follows a challenging period when the hospital’s renal unit was forced to close its doors to outpatients due to overwhelming demand. The unit’s sole dialysis machine struggled to keep up with the increasing number of kidney patients, leaving many without the care they urgently needed.
In an interview with JoyNews, Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, Chief Executive Officer of KBTH, expressed deep gratitude to the Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, for securing these much-needed machines. He also offered a heartfelt apology to the affected renal patients for the temporary closure and the resulting inconvenience.
“Thankfully, the renal unit has now reopened to outpatients, and services have fully resumed. I want to extend my sincere apologies to our patients and the public for the inconvenience caused,” Dr. Ampomah stated. “The situation arose due to factors beyond our immediate control, but we are committed to preventing such occurrences in the future. The Minister of Health, Honorable Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, and the Ministry have been instrumental in securing these 30 new dialysis machines for Korle-Bu.”
In addition to the current machines, Dr. Ampomah revealed that the hospital has entered into an agreement with a company to supply 30 additional dialysis machines, further enhancing the center’s capacity.
In a bid to improve patient care amid ongoing dialysis challenges, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is also spearheading efforts to introduce innovative kidney treatment options. One of the most anticipated advancements is the introduction of peritoneal dialysis, a method widely adopted in the United States and other advanced countries. This treatment allows patients to manage their condition from the comfort of their homes, significantly improving their quality of life.
The decision to adopt peritoneal dialysis comes after the hospital’s dialysis unit faced a temporary shutdown due to a shortage of essential supplies. Dr. Ampomah expressed optimism about this new treatment approach, noting that it could soon become a viable option for patients, transforming the way kidney care is delivered at Korle-Bu.