Dialysis machines at Volta Regional Hospital 'rotting'

Volta Regional Hospital is unable to provide GHC 28,000.00 to get a dialysis machine donated to the hospital to become operational.

The amount was needed for a water treatment plant required to get the machines functioning, Mama Attratoh Co-ordinator of the Asogli Queen-mothers Association told the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

A dialysis machine is said to filter a patient’s blood to remove excess water and waste products when the kidneys are damaged, dysfunctional, or missing. It is said to be thought of as an artificial kidney.

The four NIPRO Surdial 55+machines were donated by D.Med Healthcare AG Limited, through the instrumentality of the Association.

Mama Attratoh said everything else except the water treatment plant had been provided to deliver “cutting-edge medical services to patients with kidney-related ailments in the region.

She lamented that kidney patients in the region have been travelling to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital every week for medical attention and those who could not afford the weekly trip did so once in two months.

Dr John Tampuori, Medical Director, Volta Regional Hospital, told the GNA that about nine patients were referred to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital every month with kidney related problems.

He said demand for the services of dialysis machines is high and that its installation would help improve healthcare delivery in the region.