A growing number of dialysis patients at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in the Greater Accra Region are expressing frustration and concern after being unable to receive treatment at the facility's main dialysis unit for nearly a week due to a reported shortage of critical consumables.

The unexpected disruption has left many patients scrambling to access lifesaving treatment at private dialysis centres, often at higher costs and with great inconvenience.

The development comes as a shock to patients and caregivers, particularly following the recent launch of the MahamaCare programme—an initiative aimed at addressing long-standing gaps in Ghana's healthcare delivery, including access to dialysis services.

“We are baffled. Just when we thought help had finally arrived with the MahamaCare programme, this happens,” said one affected patient, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“We don’t know if this is a case of sabotage or negligence, but whatever it is, it is putting lives at risk.”

MahamaCare, which was introduced by the current administration to improve universal healthcare coverage, has been hailed as a game-changer for vulnerable populations, including chronic disease patients.

The current situation at Korle-Bu, however, has left many questioning whether some individuals or entities may be undermining the programme’s early efforts.

“This is not just an administrative failure—it’s a matter of life and death,” said another caregiver.

“If anyone is deliberately sabotaging this programme, we won’t forgive them.

This is a lifeline for so many.”

While hospital authorities are yet to release an official statement on the matter, reports suggest that the disruption stems from a shortage of essential supplies needed for dialysis sessions.

Calls are mounting for urgent government intervention to investigate the root cause of the supply gap and ensure uninterrupted treatment for patients who rely on dialysis to survive.

Stakeholders are also urging the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Authority to step in and reinforce the implementation of MahamaCare, ensuring that the programme delivers on its promise of equitable and consistent healthcare access for all.