The Director of Dental Program at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ernest Konadu Asiedu, has revealed that thousands of Ghanaians with kidney disease die annually due to limited access to dialysis treatment, resulting in preventable deaths.
Speaking at the launch of St. Michael’s Specialist Hospital’s Dialysis and Eye Clinic, Dr. Asiedu emphasized that untreated eye conditions also contribute to this alarming situation.
He noted that the Ministry of Health has made healthcare a priority, with the National Health Insurance Scheme including dialysis treatment in its benefit package.
“St. Michael’s Specialist Hospital’s dialysis and eye services directly advance these promises by providing advanced care for those afflicted by renal disease and specialized eye care services,” Dr. Asiedu said.
He acknowledged the crucial role of private sector investment in expanding healthcare capacity and efficiency, citing St. Michael’s Hospital as an example of this partnership.
He noted that the government continues to incentivize private sector involvement in healthcare through streamlined accreditation processes, tax rebates for health infrastructure, risk protection funds for providers, and timely National Health Insurance Scheme reimbursement.
This creates a win-win ecosystem that promotes job creation, medical tourism, and private-led initiatives that bridge critical gaps in the health system, increasing national dialysis capacity amid the rising burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Report by Bernard K Dadzie Greater Accra Region
