Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin yesterday commissioned an expanded dialysis unit at the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa, a move aimed at improving access to life‑saving kidney care and reducing preventable deaths across northern Ghana.
In partnership with the non‑governmental organisation Sustainable Health Education and Interventions Limited (SHEILD), the Speaker presented six new dialysis machines and modern dialysis recliners to the facility. The upgrade will reduce the need for patients to travel long distances to Kumasi, Tamale or Accra for treatment.
The enhancement will expand the hospital’s renal treatment capacity and improve specialised care for residents of the Upper West Region and neighbouring areas.
Speaking at a well‑attended commissioning ceremony, Acting Medical Director Dr. Philip K.K. Baabiineh described the intervention as “an enormous reprieve” for patients and families who previously faced significant travel and financial burdens to access dialysis.
Dr. Sylvia Anne Board, Director of SHEILD, praised the Speaker’s personal commitment to the project, saying Bagbin was so engaged he would call late into the night to discuss progress. She reiterated SHEILD’s dedication to equity in health delivery.
Addressing the gathering, Speaker Bagbin urged local leaders and communities to explore a regional insurance scheme that could make dialysis free for all who need it. He also appealed to members of the Upper West diaspora to support development projects that directly benefit local communities.
The new equipment marks a critical step toward strengthening renal healthcare in northern Ghana and is expected to save lives by bringing timely dialysis services closer to home.
