The Upper West Region has received a significant healthcare boost following the commissioning of an expanded Dialysis Unit at the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa.
The project, led by Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, is expected to improve access to kidney dialysis treatment and strengthen healthcare delivery in northern Ghana.
As part of the initiative, Speaker Bagbin donated six state-of-the-art dialysis machines and six modern dialysis recliner chairs through the Ghanaian-founded non-governmental organization, Sustainable Health Education and Interventions Limited (SHEILD). The donation is aimed at expanding dialysis services and reducing the burden on patients suffering from kidney disease.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Speaker Bagbin stressed that quality healthcare is a fundamental human right and should be accessible to every Ghanaian, regardless of where they live. He explained that the expansion of the dialysis unit was motivated by the financial, emotional, and medical challenges faced by families who previously had to travel long distances, often to Accra, to receive life-saving dialysis treatment.
The Speaker recalled the difficult experiences of arranging emergency airlifts for dialysis patients from the Upper West Region to the capital, noting that some patients sadly lost their lives before receiving treatment. He described the completion of the expanded dialysis facility as a major milestone in improving healthcare infrastructure and specialist medical services in the region.
The event was attended by members of the Upper West Parliamentary Caucus, hospital management led by Dr. Philip Baabiineh, and the dialysis team headed by Dr. Abednego Attoh. Speaker Bagbin praised their commitment, as well as the contribution of SHEILD, for making the healthcare project a reality.
He emphasized that the donation was not politically motivated but driven by a commitment to public service and equitable healthcare access. He also urged the hospital’s management to properly maintain the dialysis equipment while assuring them of continued support for healthcare worker training and capacity building.
The newly commissioned dialysis machines are expected to increase treatment capacity, improve kidney care services, and reduce pressure on healthcare professionals at the Upper West Regional Hospital. Residents of the Upper West Region and neighboring communities are expected to benefit from easier access to specialized renal care without the need for costly travel.
The expanded Dialysis Unit represents a major investment in Ghana’s healthcare sector and demonstrates the impact of collaborative partnerships in improving medical infrastructure. Hospital management has also been encouraged to work closely with the Speaker’s office to maximize the use of the facility and ensure sustainable delivery of quality dialysis services for patients across the region.
Source: newsthemegh.com