The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) is set to increase its number of dialysis machines to 15.
The hospital has installed three brand new dialysis machines, which are now in full operation.
Plans are underway to also install an additional 12 new dialysis machines by the end of May 2024 to augment its operations.
Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Professor Otchere Addai-Mensah, explained that the hospital is positioning itself to lead in the management and treatment of kidney diseases and renal failure.
Speaking to a cross-section of journalists in Kumasi, he said prior attention would also be given to children with renal problems to undergo dialysis treatment at the facility.
According to him, hitherto, dialysis treatment for children with kidney problems seemed not to exist.
The hospital is therefore taking steps to provide dialysis services to give children the opportunity to live, irrespective of the fact that they might have developed end-stage renal failure.
“Usually, we do not have dialysis for children, and it is one area we are looking at as a hospital—to give children the opportunity to live irrespective of their end stages of renal failure.”
Prof. Addai-Mensah said some benevolent organizations were helping to bring dialysis machines to boost the hospital’s operations and help failing kidneys function properly.
He mentioned that the installation and efficient operation of dialysis treatment at the facility would ease the burden on Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and help reduce the cost of treatment for patients.
Professor Addai-Mensah called for more support from corporate organizations, individuals, and civil society organizations to help the facility provide advanced and efficient clinical care to patients.
Regarding the ongoing ‘Health KATH Project,’ he said work was progressing steadily, with the leaking roofs being repaired.
“Typically, two weeks after rains, you would still see drippings on the floors of D5 and the upper floors, but that is not what is going on now,” he explained.
He commended the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who is the brainchild of the project, for leading the appeal to advance healthcare delivery in the country.
