Critical health crisis: Upper East Region faces rising kidney disease amidst dire lack of dialysis centers
The Upper East Region, one of Ghana’s 16 administrative regions, plays a crucial role in the nation’s socioeconomic development.
Known for its rich human and social capital, the region has been a cradle for some of Ghana’s brightest brains, contributing significantly to national progress across various sectors.
Notable figures from this region include several former ministerial appointees who have made lasting impacts on the nation, such as the late Joseph Kofi Adda, Mark Woyongo, and Tangomba Abayege. Their dedication to regional development continues to inspire many. However, the region faces numerous challenges that require urgent attention.
One particularly alarming crisis is the growing prevalence of kidney disease, a silent but deadly threat that endangers the lives of countless residents. As cases of kidney disease rise, the region remains defenseless, lacking a single dialysis center to provide the life-saving treatment patients desperately need.
This absence of critical health infrastructure has escalated the situation from a growing health concern to a serious emergency. The problem is persistent and unbearable, with more residents being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease each year—a condition that demands regular dialysis for management.
Yet, the region is without the basic facilities necessary to deliver this essential treatment. Patients are left with no choice but to endure the long, accident-prone journey to Tamale or even further south to access costly treatment, or face the grim reality of an untreated illness.
Consider the case of 55-year-old Akolpoka, a petty trader from Bolgatanga. Diagnosed with advanced kidney disease, she is forced to travel over 100 kilometers to other regions for dialysis—a journey that takes a severe toll on both her finances and health.
The costs are overwhelming; she must cover expenses for transport, treatment, and accommodation. Often, she has to seek financial assistance to make the trip to regions with dialysis centers. There are times when the funds raised fall short, leaving Akolpoka with no choice but to rely on her faith, hoping for divine healing.
Akolpoka’s story is far from unique. Many others in the region are grappling with similar challenges, forced to navigate the harrowing combination of severe health conditions and a lack of local medical support. The few dialysis centers in the surrounding regions maybe overwhelmed and unable to accommodate the influx of patients from the Upper East Region.
The consequences of this healthcare void are devastating. Without timely and regular dialysis, patients with chronic kidney disease experience a rapid decline in health, often leading to premature death.
As health experts emphasize, dialysis is a necessity for these patients. The absence of dialysis centers in the Upper East Region is, in effect, a death sentence for many. The cost of inaction is mounting. As the health of the region’s residents deteriorates, the financial burden on families grows, particularly for low-income households.
The long-term economic impact on the region—already one of the poorest in Ghana—could be catastrophic. The lack of dialysis centers is not merely a logistical issue; it represents a failure of health policy and planning, exacerbated by corruption, poor leadership, and political neglect.
For decades, the Upper East Region has suffered from a deficit in health infrastructure, a problem that is widening into a chasm as the demand for specialized care increases. The question remains: how many more lives will be lost before this issue is addressed?
Ghana, endowed with natural resources and possessing the financial capacity to improve healthcare infrastructure across the country, should not struggle to address the healthcare deficits in regions like the Upper East. As a nation that is among the leading producers of gold and cocoa, there should be no excuse for underdeveloped healthcare infrastructure in any region or community.
The Upper East Region, vibrant and contributing significantly to Ghana’s socioeconomic and political development, urgently needs government intervention. Establishing dialysis centers in the region must be prioritized to prevent further loss of life. Beyond this, there must be concerted efforts and initiatives to invest in the region’s health infrastructure, ensuring that it is equipped to handle the growing health challenges of its population.
Without immediate attention and investment, the Upper East Region will continue to suffer, leaving its residents to battle life-threatening illnesses without the medical support they need. The government, healthcare stakeholders, and the private sector must come together to address this critical health crisis.