Forum for Kidney Patients Ghana Urges Government to Establish New Renal Centre in Central Region

The Forum for Kidney Patients Association Ghana has issued an urgent appeal to the government to establish a new renal facility in the Central Region to alleviate the severe pressure on the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH). The association proposed that the new centre be situated in either Assin Fosu or Dunkwa-on-Offin to serve as a strategic hub for patients who currently travel long distances to access life-saving dialysis. The current facility at CCTH is reportedly overwhelmed, as it serves a vast catchment area including patients from various neighboring regions, leading to a critical strain on both equipment and personnel.

Patients have shared harrowing accounts of the logistical and financial burdens imposed by the lack of decentralized services. Gifty Tetteh, a kidney patient who travels from Akim Oda to Cape Coast for treatment, highlighted the exorbitant transportation costs and the physical exhaustion associated with frequent long-distance travel. These challenges are compounded by the fact that the increasing number of patients has forced the hospital to limit available dialysis slots, often resulting in a reduction of treatment sessions for individuals who requires more frequent care to maintain their health.

Thomas Cann, the Central Regional President of the association, has called on the Ministry of Health and the government to prioritize investment in additional dialysis machines and the construction of the proposed new facility. Cann emphasized that the current infrastructure is insufficient to meet the rising demand for renal services in the region. He noted that establishing a satellite centre would not only reduce travel time for patients but also ensure that the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital can provide more consistent and effective care to those in immediate need.

This demand for expanded renal services underscores a growing healthcare crisis as the prevalence of kidney-related ailments continues to rise across Ghana. By decentralizing dialysis care to locations like Assin Fosu or Dunkwa-on-Offin, the government could significantly improve the quality of life for patients and reduce the mortality rate associated with inadequate treatment frequency. The association remains hopeful that the government will act swiftly to provide the necessary resources to prevent the further deterioration of the region's renal care capacity.