Former President John Dramani Mahama has urged the government to immediately eliminate import duties and tariffs on dialysis drugs and kits in the nation.
This is in response to a recent increase in the cost of dialysis therapy by more than 100 percent at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’s Renal Dialysis Unit.
Speaking at an event commemorating the 2023 United Nations International Day for the Elderly, Mr. Mahama criticised the government’s choice to burden patients with expensive medical expenditures in the aftermath of the current economic crisis as callous.
Mr. Mahama also pledged to provide relief for patients of different ailments when voted into power in 2024.
“Given the opportunity, we shall bring relief to thousands of our citizens suffering from these ailments. Just this week, there was an uproar when the nation’s premier teaching hospital, Korle Bu announced an increase in charges for dialysis treatment by one hundred percent which is threatening to put the cost of dialysis treatment out of the reach of many patients and their families.
“The explanation I have read from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital cites the increase in taxes and duties of materials for dialysis treatment as the main reason for their decision to hike the price by a hundred percent. As an immediate measure, I call on the government to exempt medication and kits for dialysis treatment from taxes and duties to maintain this critical lifeline for patients whose survival depends on these treatments.”
