Two government hospitals in the Western Region offering dialysis treatment to renal patients are facing pressure as demand exceeds capacity.
Elizabeth Elorm Azalekor, a Nephrology Nurse Specialist at Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, told Asaase News that the National Health Insurance Scheme’s (NHIS) coverage of dialysis treatment has significantly increased pressure on the region’s already limited renal units.
“Before dialysis was made free, there was more competition between the public and private sectors. However, with the introduction of free dialysis, the majority of patients have shifted to the government sector, placing immense pressure on the available resources,” she stated.
There is also growing concern about the increasing number of kidney disease cases in the region. Azalekor attributes the rise to poorly controlled diabetes, hypertension, and activities linked to illegal mining.
“The numbers keep rising daily,” she said. “Most of the cases are reported by young men involved in illegal mining, and unfortunately, by the time they come in, the disease is often at its end stage, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.”
As of 12 March 2025, the newly launched renal unit at Takoradi Hospital, also known as European Hospital, had already treated around 30 patients. With just two functional dialysis machines, the hospital can only perform 10 to 14 sessions a day.
Meanwhile, Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital serves 50 patients with end-stage kidney disease in certain months, with 10 reported deaths by December 2024 due to kidney-related complications.
Despite having a population of over two million, the region has the lowest number of dialysis machines, with just 0.97 machines per million residents.
More support needed for renal units
Globally, Kidney Health International estimates that Ghana should have around 15,400 patients requiring dialysis, but currently only 1,195 patients are receiving treatment.
Azalekor suggests that to address this shortfall in the Western Region, support must be provided to other health facilities to acquire additional dialysis machines, which would help ease the strain on the existing equipment.
She also called on churches and corporate organisations to assist with acquiring dialysis equipment. “The pressure on these machines is high, and they could fail at any time,” she said.
The redevelopment of Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, which includes a major upgrade to its renal unit, is currently underway. Azalekor assured that sensitisation efforts to raise awareness about kidney disease and its prevention are ongoing in the region.
Report by Isaac Hughes for Asaase News in the Western Region
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