Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region needs a minimum of twelve functioning dialysis machines.
The premier teaching and referral health facility has only two functioning dialysis machines, making saving more lives very difficult.
This was revealed by the Chief Executive Officer of KATH , Prof Otchere Addai-Menssh, on the Ghanakoma morning show on Akoma 87.9 FM in Kumasi with Aduanaba Kofi Asante Ennin.
He stated that the two functioning machines are only used for patients with critical conditions.
He added that the two dialysis machines are at fault.
“A 1,200-bed health facility of the calibre of KATH, which is centred in the heart of Ghana, should have a minimum of 12 dialysis machines to cater for the ever-increasing kidney disease, Prof. Addai Mensah said.
“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 said.
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 kidneys must be checked at least every six months for precautionary measures to be adopted,” he advised.
He appealed for public assistance in addressing the challenges confronting the hospital. Notably, he emphasised that the hospital has not undergone significant renovations since its establishment in 1954.
He warned that if the current challenges are not addressed within the next 3 or 4 years, there is a possibility of the hospital facing closure.