Korle Bu refutes allegations of 20 renal patient deaths

The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has strongly refuted recent media reports alleging the deaths of 20 renal patients and outstanding debts to suppliers.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the hospital management addressed two major claims: that 20 patients had died due to a shortage of renal dialysis consumables, and that these shortages were caused by the hospital’s supposed debt to suppliers.

KBTH categorically denied these allegations, stating that there is no truth to the claim that 20 renal patients have died this year due to a shortage of dialysis consumables.

“We have no record of any deaths during the period of shortages at the Renal Dialysis Unit,” the statement read.

The allegations were attributed to a misinterpreted media flyer and sensationalised online commentary on Facebook.

Addressing the second allegation, the hospital confirmed that the Ministry of Health has settled all arrears owed to suppliers.

“Currently, Korle Bu does not owe GH¢6 million to the supplier as being falsely alleged,” the statement emphasised.

The hospital also announced that it had received a new shipment of dialysis consumables through the Tema port last week, with a second shipment currently being cleared. Inpatient dialysis services resumed on August 12, and outpatient services are expected to be restored by the end of this week.

The management urged the public to disregard the false claims, which they believe are intended to spread fear and anxiety.

Consumables Clearance

In another development, management of the hospital has assured that the consumables needed by renal patients, currently stuck at the port, will be cleared soon.

In an interview on Eyewitness News, Korle Bu’s Public Relations Officer, Mustapha Salifu, stated that the hospital is working expeditiously to resolve the issue and restore services.

“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.”

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the renal patients, Baffuor Kojo Ahenkorah, has pleaded with the hospital to honour its assurances and ensure the timely clearance of the essential supplies.

“We will take it in good faith but we just hope that they will clear the containers as they have said so we will try and keep our fingers crossed and hope that something really comes out. But at least by Wednesday, they should let us know exactly what is going on.”