A GH¢ 5.8 million dialysis centre for the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital (TQMH) at Mampong-Akuapem in the Eastern Region was on Friday inaugurated by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban S. K. Bagbin.
The dialysis centre aimed at improving health care access and reducing mortality rate in the country, boasts of four advanced dialysis units with a treatment facility installed, including tubing, blood, dialysate and anticoagulant pumps, dialysers, monitors, and a water purification system.
It also has a new outhouse and a waiting area sponsored by Enterprise Group PLC.
The inauguration of the facility coincided with the launch of the TQMH Dialysis Fund to support vulnerable and marginalised patients who may not have the resources to access the service.
Speaking at the event, Mr Bagbin stressed that the right to health was essential, adding that it was enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
He also highlighted the need for more healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas saying “We have more work to do” citing the fact that only one in 10 patients currently had access to life-saving dialysis due to cost and distance barriers.
Mr Bagbin pledged to continuously contribute to the TQMH, calling on the government to refocus on healthcare, and emphasised the need for people-centered care and the importance of promoting health over curative care.
The Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, in a goodwill message sent prior to the event, underscored the urgent need for a sustainable and reliable financing mechanism to support challenges posed by chronic kidney disease.
Also, he commended the Sustainable Health Education and Intervention Limited (SHEILD) for recognising this gap and for taking urgent action.
For his part, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem North, Mr Samuel Awuku, applauded the efforts of SHEILD, the sponsors, and all stakeholders who made the vision of a facility a reality.
The Medical Superintendent of TQMH , Dr Kofi Ablorh, remarked that patients would no longer travel long distances for treatment, and by providing dialysis services locally, the country could reduce financial burden on patients and their families.
Launching the Trust Fund, a Board Director of SHEILD, Dr Sylvia Anie, said the fund was essential as it would ensure quality renal care was available for all, stating that, seven patients die every 24 hours from preventive kidney disease not because treatment did not exist, but because they could not afford it.
Representing the Okuapehene Oseadeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, the Okuapehene Osompahene, Nana Kwasi Osew said the establishment of the centre symbolised hope and commitment for the people in the community.
The project was spearheaded by (SHEILD)- a non-profit Ghana-based organisation established to provide solutions to the most pressing health issues through reducing inequalities in the provision of healthcare services for all, including the marginalised, in partnership with key stakeholders.
It had sponsorship from Enterprise Group PLC, Volta River Authority, National Petroleum Authority, Kalmoni Foundation, Revna Biosciences and individual sponsors including Alban Bagbin; former Veep, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; the Paramount Chief of the Akuapem Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III; and the Ghana Health Service.
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