The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi in the Ashanti region needs a minimum of twelve functioning dialysis machines, Chief Executive Offcier of the facility has disclosed.
The premier teaching and referral health facility in the country has only two functioning dialysis machines, making saving more lives very difficult.
The CEO, Prof. Otchere Addai-Menssh, on Ghanakoma morning show on Akoma 87.9FM said the two functioning machines which are working at fault are only used for patients with critical conditions.
“A 1,200-bed health facility of the calibre of KATH which is centered in the heart of Ghana should have a minimum of 12 dialysis machines to cater for the ever-increasing kidney diseases.
“The two dialysis machines are woefully inadequate to provide dialysis assistance to hundreds of patients who patronise the facility, and an additional 12 machines will help to save more lives,” he told host Aduanaba Kofi Asante Ennin.
On the prevention and treatment of kidney disease, he advised the public to resort to regular health checkups to prevent any future risks.
“Most kidney diseases are reported late, some at the late stage where little could be done. To prevent this, one’s heart, liver, and kidney must be checked at least every six months to their statuses for precautionary measures to be adopted,” he advised.
He called for public support to confront challenges facing the hospital. According to him, the hospital has not seen any major renovation since its establishment in 1954.
He said the hospital may be closed if the current challenges are not addressed in the next 3 or 4 years time.
Meanwhile, he revealed that the facility has obtained 50 per cent of the $10million ‘Heal KATH Project’ launched by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on Friday, November 10, 2023.
By Benjamin Aidoo|AkomaFM|Onuaonline.com
