Hitherto, Kidney Patients on dialysis in the Western Region have had to travel to either Accra or Cape Coast for that service.
This situation worsened their plight and also increased their financial burden having to do that once or thrice in a week.
Today however, kidney patients, their relatives and most residents will heave a sigh of relief as the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital at Sekondi has inaugurated the first Dialysis Unit in the Region.
A Dialysis Centre is a clinical establishment that provides the treatment of patients with renal failure through a therapy which is used to provide an artificial replacement for lost kidney functions.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Western Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Naa Dr. Jacob Mahama urged the staff of the unit to maximize its use efficiently and avoid illegal collection of monies which has been identified as one of the numerous challenges facing the hospital.
He also called on them to handle the equipment with utmost care and also ensure that regular maintenance is done.
A Medical Director at the Hospital, Dr. Francis Oduro said the Dialysis Unit which has been operational since August 14, 2019 has seen over one hundred and fifty patients accessing it.
He mentioned however, that services at the unit are not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Inaugurating the unit, the Western Regional Minister, Dr. Kobbina Okyere Darko-Mensah said the acquisition of the Dialysis unit alleviate the plight of patients with renal conditions in the region and beyond.
He said the hospital will by 2020 become a Teaching Hospital as talks and arrangements are underway to see to it implemention.
Mr. Okeyere Darko Mensah also called for more public awareness campaign to help educate Ghanaians renal and related diseases.
Story filed by Marie Aziz Tunde.
