Source: newsthemegh.com
John Dramani Mahama, former president of Ghana, has asked the government to immediately remove import duties and levies on medical equipment and supplies needed for dialysis treatment in the nation.
This call was made in reaction to a recent increase in the price of dialysis treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’s Renal Dialysis Unit, where costs had increased by more than 100%.
Speaking to a crowd at a celebration of the 2023 International Day for the Aged, Mr. Mahama condemned the government’s callous choice to subject patients to noticeably greater care expenditures in light of the current economic difficulties, calling it insensitive.
If elected to office in 2024, he further promised to help people with a variety of medical ailments.
“We promise to lessen the pain of thousands of our compatriots who are battling these illnesses if given the chance. When the nation’s top teaching hospital, Korle Bu, announced a 100 percent increase in the cost of dialysis treatment just this week, it caused widespread concern, according to Mr. Mahama. This threatens to push the cost of this crucial treatment out of the reach of many patients and their families.
He continued, “The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital largely cites rising taxes and customs on supplies necessary for dialysis treatment as the explanation presented for this price rise.
To assure the ongoing availability of this vital lifeline for patients whose lives depends on these treatments, I call on the government to exempt medication and dialysis kits from taxes and tariffs.