Cape Coast: The Renal Patients Association Ghana has made a direct appeal to the government to either subsidise or completely cover the costs of Erythropoietin (EPO) and iron supplements for kidney patients undergoing dialysis. This request is aimed at incorporating the costs into the National Health Insurance Scheme or the upcoming Mahama Care health policy.
According to Ghana News Agency, EPO and iron medications, which are administered through injections, are essential for treating anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. EPO, a hormone primarily produced by the kidneys, stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow, while iron is crucial for producing hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells.
The Association expressed gratitude towards successive governments for the free dialysis policy but highlighted that the costs of EPO and iron remain a significant barrier for many patients. This appeal was made during a donation of EPO and iron supplies to the Dialysis Unit at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, aimed at supporting kidney patients' treatment.
Mr. Baffour Kodwo Ahinkra, President of the Association, noted that the initiative was to ease the burden on patients undergoing dialysis. He pointed out the prohibitive costs of EPO, ranging between GHC130 and GHC150, and iron at GHC100, which prevent many from receiving necessary treatments, resulting in preventable fatalities.
He emphasized the critical need for government intervention to save lives, noting that patients undergoing dialysis are invariably anaemic due to blood loss during the process. "Each patient needs a shot or two of EPO and iron to keep their haemoglobin stable before they can be put on the machine," he stated.
Furthermore, Mr. Ahinkra commended the free dialysis initiative for significantly reducing patient mortality rates and urged the government to include the cost of dialysis fistula for new patients under the Mahama Cares Policy. He explained the long-term benefits of this procedure, which is crucial yet expensive.
Applauding the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital's dialysis unit, Mr. Ahinkra praised their orderly environment and professional medical team. Thomas Vincent Cann, a journalist and dialysis patient for 13 years, expressed gratitude for the Association's support and urged the government to at least subsidise EPO and iron costs, given their high prices.
Cann also called for more dialysis machines to be distributed to district hospitals to decentralise services, reducing the travel burden on patients. "People travel several hours to access dialysis services in Cape Coast. It is a huge burden for most patients," he said.
Madam Mary Senama, another patient, echoed these sentiments, sharing her financial struggles in purchasing EPO and iron. "If you don't have it, you become anaemic and that is killing many patients," she stated.
Dr. Aaron Amartey, a medical officer with the dialysis team, highlighted the importance of EPO and iron in patient treatment and expressed gratitude for the Association's donation, noting its potential to significantly benefit patients due to the high costs of these supplies.
