Parliament summons Health Minister over Korle-Bu renal unit's closure to outpatients

Parliament has summoned the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, to come and explain why the Renal Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital was still closed to outpatients.

The Minister is expected to report in Parliament on Thursday, November 9, 2023.

Mr Agyeman-Manu, will also explain to the house measures taken by the government to address the challenges that led to the closure of the unit to outpatients.

The call for the minister to be summoned was made by the Member of Parliament for Juaboso, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.

“The reopening of the outpatient department cannot continue to be in abeyance, and even more distressing is the statement from the Renal Patients Association that since the closure of the outpatient department of the renal unit in May, more than 19 of its members have died. The tragic loss of life emphasizes the urgency of the matter and the necessity for immediate intervention,” he stated.

Mr Akandoh further called on Mr Agyeman-Manu to address the issue of the approved GH¢380 fee charge for kidney treatment, which has not been reinstated since the outpatient department was closed.

The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, who was presiding over the house on Thursday issued the directive after the MPs unanimously agreed for the minister to make an appearance before the House.

“The Minister for Health is to appear before us on Thursday, November 9, to come and brief us on the closure of the Renal Unit outpatient department and the upsurge of kidney-related problems in Ghana,” Mr Asiamah said.

“He should also come and tell us if the NHIS issue can also be captured in relation to kidney treatment.”

Read also: Korle-Bu Renal Unit to carry out kidney transplants this year