After a series of delays and unmet reopening timelines, the management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Renal Unit has finally decided to reopen its doors to outpatient services on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

This announcement comes after a frustrating period during which the management repeatedly failed to fulfil their own promises regarding the unit's reopening. 

On Friday, November 3, a tentative agreement was reached to reopen the unit on November 6, but this commitment was subsequently reneged upon, leaving patients in limbo.

The renal unit has remained closed since May 22, 2023, causing substantial inconvenience for patients reliant on dialysis services, who have been compelled to seek treatment elsewhere.

Last Thursday, in an interview with Isaac Baah Ofei, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, disclosed that Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang-Manu had issued a directive for an immediate reopening of the unit. However, as of Monday, this directive had not been carried out,as of 2 pm.

On Monday evening, management briefly reassured patients that the unit would indeed resume operations on Tuesday, November 7.

It's worth noting that during a partial reopening of the unit on Wednesday, September 27, an announcement was made regarding an increase in the cost of dialysis treatment per session, raising it from GH¢380 to GHS¢765.42.

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minority's spokesperson on health, voiced criticism regarding the Health Minister's failure to enforce his directive for the unit's reopening. Since the unit's closure in May 2023, stemming from a GH¢4 million debt, a total of 19 outpatients have tragically passed away. The reopening of the renal unit now provides a glimmer of hope for patients in need of these crucial services.