Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, in partnership with Sustainable Health Education and Interventions Limited (SHEILD), has commissioned an expanded dialysis unit valued at an estimated GH¢4 million at the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa to improve access to life-saving kidney care for residents across northern Ghana.
The project, undertaken in collaboration with the Upper West Parliamentary Caucus, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and other development partners, was inaugurated on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
The expanded facility is expected to significantly improve renal healthcare delivery in the Upper West Region and neighbouring Upper East, Savannah, North East and Bono regions, where access to dialysis services has long been limited.
The upgraded dialysis unit has been equipped with six new dialysis machines, supporting equipment and staff training to strengthen the hospital’s capacity to provide specialist renal care.
Until now, many patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) in northern Ghana were compelled to travel hundreds of kilometres to cities such as Accra and Kumasi for dialysis treatment, resulting in high transportation costs, long waiting periods and severe financial and emotional strain on patients and their families.
The new facility is expected to ease this burden by bringing essential treatment closer to affected communities.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic kidney disease has become one of the world’s fastest-growing non-communicable diseases, affecting an estimated 674 million people, with the majority living in low- and middle-income countries.
In Ghana, kidney disease continues to pose a growing public health challenge due to increasing cases of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and the late diagnosis of patients.
The Parliamentary Service noted that the disease claims more than 4,000 lives annually in Ghana, while the country has fewer than 500 dialysis machines serving the entire population.
Dialysis treatment also remains expensive, with patients requiring between GH¢1,200 and GH¢3,000 for the recommended three treatment sessions each week.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Speaker Bagbin described the project as an important investment in healthcare equity and social justice.
He said the expanded dialysis centre represents hope for families battling kidney disease and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring quality healthcare is accessible regardless of where Ghanaians live.
“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; and for every patient battling kidney disease in this region this investment is for you,” he stated.
“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. Today’s commissioning is one important step towards that vision, but it must also inspire us to do even more,” he added.
The Speaker also commended SHEILD and the project’s partners for their commitment to improving specialist healthcare services in Ghana.
Board Director of SHEILD, Dr. Sylvie Anie, said the expanded dialysis unit goes beyond infrastructure, describing it as a symbol of hope for patients who have struggled to access specialist kidney care.
She said the organisation remains committed to promoting equitable and sustainable healthcare while strengthening Ghana’s health systems through strategic interventions.
Another Board Director of SHEILD, Dr. John Nkrumah Mills, stressed that sustainable healthcare requires continuous investment in personnel, systems, partnerships and capacity building.
According to him, the project demonstrates what can be achieved when stakeholders collaborate towards improving patient outcomes and strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system.
Medical Director of the Upper West Regional Hospital, Dr. Philip K. K. Baabiineh, described the expanded dialysis unit as a major milestone for specialist healthcare delivery in northern Ghana.
He said the hospital can now provide more timely and comprehensive renal care while reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for treatment.
Dr. Baabiineh added that the hospital would continue investing in staff training, equipment maintenance and quality improvement to ensure the sustainability of the facility.
Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, welcomed the project, describing it as consistent with government’s commitment to expanding specialist healthcare services and reducing regional disparities in access to treatment.
He noted that partnerships between government, private organisations, development partners and healthcare institutions remain essential in addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and building a resilient healthcare system.
The commissioning ceremony attracted government officials, Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, healthcare professionals, development partners, private sector representatives, civil society organisations and members of the public.
The event underscored a shared commitment to improving healthcare delivery and expanding access to specialist medical services across northern Ghana.
SHEILD is a health-focused organisation dedicated to improving health outcomes through sustainable healthcare interventions, health education, health systems strengthening and strategic partnerships aimed at expanding equitable access to quality healthcare throughout the country.
By 1960news.com
