Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has commissioned a newly expanded Upper West Regional Hospital dialysis unit, an estimated GH¢4 million investment aimed at improving access to life-saving kidney care for thousands of patients across northern Ghana.
The project, delivered in partnership with Sustainable Health Education and Interventions Limited (SHEILD), the Upper West Parliamentary Caucus, the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and other development partners, is expected to significantly reduce the burden on patients who previously travelled long distances to receive dialysis treatment.
The commissioning ceremony took place on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa.
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The expanded Upper West Regional Hospital dialysis unit has been equipped with six new dialysis machines, additional medical equipment and staff training support, dramatically increasing the hospital’s capacity to provide specialist renal care.
The facility will serve patients from the Upper West, Upper East, Savannah, North East and Bono regions, as well as other communities across Ghana’s northern corridor.
For years, many patients suffering from chronic kidney disease had no option but to travel hundreds of kilometres to Accra or Kumasi for treatment, often at enormous financial and emotional cost.
Speaking at the commissioning, Mr Bagbin described the project as a major step toward healthcare equity and social justice.
He said the investment is dedicated to every patient battling kidney disease, stressing that people in the Upper West Region deserve access to quality healthcare regardless of where they live.
“The people of the Upper West deserve to live with dignity. We deserve access to quality healthcare. We deserve opportunities to thrive without being disadvantaged by geography,” he said.
The Speaker also praised SHEILD and all partners for their commitment to making the project a reality and called for sustained collaboration to improve specialist healthcare services nationwide.
The commissioning comes at a time when chronic kidney disease continues to pose a growing public health challenge in Ghana.
According to figures cited during the event:
- More than 4,000 Ghanaians die annually from chronic kidney disease.
- Ghana has fewer than 500 dialysis machines serving the entire population.
- Patients often spend between GH¢1,200 and GH¢3,000 weekly for the recommended three dialysis sessions.
- Rising cases of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and late diagnosis continue to increase demand for renal care.
Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that 674 million people are living with chronic kidney disease, with the majority residing in low- and middle-income countries.
SHEILD reaffirms commitment to healthcare
Board Director of SHEILD, Dr. Sylvie Anie, said the expanded dialysis centre represents hope for families who have struggled to access specialist kidney treatment.
She noted that the organisation remains committed to strengthening healthcare systems, promoting health education and supporting sustainable interventions that improve health outcomes across Ghana.
Another Board Director, Dr. John Nkrumah Mills, described the initiative as proof that strategic partnerships can transform healthcare delivery.
He emphasised the need for continuous investment in healthcare personnel, infrastructure and long-term capacity building to ensure quality specialist services.
Hospital welcomes major boost
Medical Director of the Upper West Regional Hospital, Dr. Philip K. K. Baabiineh, said the expansion would greatly improve access to timely renal care for patients across northern Ghana.
He explained that the hospital now has greater capacity to provide quality dialysis services while reducing the hardship many patients previously endured travelling outside the region.
Dr. Baabiineh added that the hospital would continue investing in staff development, equipment maintenance and quality improvement to sustain the service.
Government applauds partnership
Minister for Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh welcomed the Upper West Regional Hospital dialysis unit project, describing it as consistent with government’s commitment to reducing regional disparities in access to specialist healthcare.
He said partnerships between government, private organisations and development partners remain essential to strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system and tackling the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases.
The commissioning ceremony attracted Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, development partners, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations and community representatives, all united in support of expanding access to quality healthcare in northern Ghana.
The new Upper West Regional Hospital dialysis unit is expected to transform kidney care delivery in the region by bringing life-saving treatment closer to patients and reducing the financial burden associated with long-distance travel for dialysis.