Thousands of kidney patients in northern Ghana are expected to access dialysis treatment closer to home following the commissioning of an expanded dialysis unit at the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa.
The GH¢4 million facility was inaugurated by Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, in partnership with Sustainable Health Education and Interventions Limited (SHEILD), the Upper West Parliamentary Caucus, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and other development partners.
A statement signed by Mr David Sebastian Damoah, Director of Media Relations at the Parliamentary Service, and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the expansion included six additional dialysis machines, ancillary equipment and staff training support.
The facility is expected to serve patients from the Upper West, Upper East, Savannah, North East and Bono Regions, as well as other communities across the northern corridor.
According to the statement, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in northern Ghana had for years travelled long distances to Accra and Kumasi to access dialysis services, incurring huge transportation costs and enduring long waiting times.
Commissioning the facility, Mr Bagbin described the project as an investment in healthcare equity and a significant step towards reducing geographical barriers to specialist care.
“For the mother praying beside the hospital bed of her child; for the father whose greatest wish is simply to remain healthy enough to provide for his family; for the young person with dreams still waiting to be fulfilled… this investment is for you,” it quoted the speaker as saying.
He stressed that the people of the Upper West region deserved access to quality healthcare and opportunities to thrive irrespective of their location.
“The people of the Upper West deserve to live with dignity. We deserve access to quality healthcare. We deserve opportunities to thrive without being disadvantaged by geography,” he stated.
The statement said chronic kidney disease remained a major global health challenge.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 674 million people worldwide are affected by CKD, with the majority living in low- and middle-income countries.
In Ghana, the disease is reported to claim more than 4,000 lives annually. The statement noted that with fewer than 500 dialysis machines available nationwide, access to treatment remained limited.
It added that patients often spent between GH¢1,200 and GH¢3,000 weekly for the recommended three dialysis sessions.
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health, said the project aligned with the Government’s efforts to decentralise specialised healthcare services and reduce disparities in access across regions.
“Partnerships such as this complement national efforts to improve healthcare delivery and demonstrate the important role that collaboration plays in building a resilient health system,” it said.
Dr Sylvie Anie, Board Director of SHEILD, said the expanded unit symbolised hope for patients and families who had struggled for years to access specialised kidney care.
“This expanded dialysis unit represents far more than additional equipment or infrastructure. It represents hope for patients and families who have struggled for years to access specialised kidney care,” it said.
Dr John Nkrumah Mills, also a Board Director of SHEILD and a specialist surgeon, underscored the importance of investing in both people and systems to achieve sustainable healthcare outcomes.
“This facility demonstrates what is possible when partners unite around a shared vision,” it said.
Dr Philip K. K. Baabiineh, Medical Director of the Upper West Regional Hospital, said the expansion would improve timely access to treatment and reduce the burden on patients and their families.
He pledged continued investment in staff capacity building and maintenance of the equipment to ensure sustainable service delivery.
SHEILD is a health-focused organisation that works to improve health outcomes through sustainable interventions, health education, systems strengthening and strategic partnerships aimed at expanding equitable access to quality healthcare across Ghana.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by government officials, traditional authorities, Members of Parliament, development partners, health professionals and community representatives.
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