KATH In Need of Dialysis Machines To Treat Patients – Despite Providing Quality Renal Care

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), the only premier health facility in the Ashanti Region which takes referrals from Twelve (12) out of the 16 regions of Ghana  is in dire need of dialysis machines to treat persons battling with kidney and other renal conditions.

Currently, the hospital is treating hundreds of cases with only 13 functioning dialysis machines.

This unfortunate situation is causing tension and anxiety amongst many patients who visit the facility for care.

During a visit to the facility by yours truly last week, some patients who had appointments but could not access treatment on the dialysis machine due to the huge numbers shed tears in a gripping manner.

Each session takes between three to six hours for a person depending on the case and KATH due to the lack of machines can only treat few patients in a day.

The hospital then reschedules appointments for those who could not access treatment to return on the new dates given them.

Narrations:

Speaking to some patients who pleaded for anonymity, it became apparent the worrying situation as most stood frustrated and hopeless.

A 34 year old tutor, who was treating a renal condition, said he was in the 6month of treatment and recounted ordeals he had had at KATH seeking to be on the dialysis schedule.

He noted that KATH provided quality care at the Renal Center but had inadequate machines to deal with the numbers, adding that he at times breaks down when he is unable to go on the machine.

One private businessman who shed tears while recalling his difficulty to access treatment said he had been going to a private facility to access care but saw no improvement.

He stated since been referred to KATH he had seen the difference in his recovery and was doing better.

Public Relations Officer:

Meanwhile, speaking to Kumasi based Abusua FM, Mr Kwame Frimpong, Public Relations Manager at KATH told Kojo Marfo, the show host that the premier facility was at its wits end to provide adequate care for its renal patients.

He conceded that the 13 functioning dialysis machines at the Renal Unit was woefully inadequate since the hospital was dealing with high numbers including many referrals from other regions.

Currently, he said through the instrumentality of the Chief Executive Officer, KATH had been able to carry out some renovations at its old Renal Center apart from the one they have at its special ward centre.

However, he said about 20 additional dialysis machines needed to be fixed so that the Unit can be able to attend to the numbers that come to KATH.

Government Intervention:

Mr Frimpong dislosed that KATH had furnished the Ministry of Health (MoH) with documentation that requires retooling and resourcing of the renal unit but noted that the Hospital was yet to hear from the MoH.

He said upon assumption of office and during a recent tour of the Hospital, the CEO briefed the Minister of Health, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye about the situation at the Renal Unit as well as other units.

KATH, Mr Frimpong stated is the best facility that caters for Renal conditions since it is the only hospital that has a specialist nephrologist who caters for such issues.

He therefore asked government to urgently assist the Renal Unit with some dialysis machines so that it could deal with the pressing need at the center.

Commendation:

The PRO commended some private individuals and organisations that had assisted the hospital with the purchase of some dialysis machines as well as others that have promised to do same.

He also commended the CEO for using his good influences to get his friends including the media to support the hospital in many ways as well as using the internally generated funds to purchase needful equipment to carry out quality care for its customers and patients.

Source: The Ghanaian Observer/Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.