'Mahama Cares' best solution to Ghana's dialysis crisis – Seidu Agongo

Businessman and philanthropist Alhaji Seidu Agongo believes the government's new free dialysis program could solve Ghana's dialysis crisis. This program is under the Ghana Medical Trust, also known as Mahama Cares.

Alhaji Agongo founded the Sage Medical Center, a dialysis hospital in Accra. He noted that many kidney disease patients struggle to access treatment due to funding issues. This lack of access leads to complications and unnecessary deaths.

His comments came after Dr. Victor Bampoe, CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), announced plans for more dialysis machines. The NHIA aims to expand access to essential healthcare services nationwide through this initiative.

Agongo stated that Mahama Cares could provide free dialysis services across the country. This would help bridge gaps in access and capacity while saving lives.

Currently, seven of Ghana's 13 regions lack dialysis centers, affecting about 5.7 million people. Kidney patients in these regions must travel long distances for treatment or risk serious health issues.

He emphasized that patients need dialysis three times a week, adding pressure on those seeking care far from home. Agongo urged the government to partner with local entrepreneurs experienced in healthcare to implement Mahama Cares effectively.

In 2020, he established Sage Medical Center as part of Alive Industry, a leader in dialysis care technology. The center has imported over 650 machines and treats around 10,000 patients annually.

Moved by kidney patients' struggles, Agongo aimed to improve access to quality care through his center. However, he believes private investment alone cannot solve the problem.

Dialysis costs are high; each session is GHS75. Patients require three sessions weekly, leading to significant expenses beyond just treatment costs.

Agongo hopes Mahama Cares will provide sustainable funding for renal patient treatments amid rising kidney disease cases in Ghana.

As of 2023, Sage Medical Center is one of only 14 dialysis centers serving over 30 million people in Ghana.

The center uses advanced Nipro and Toray machines known for efficiency and safety. They maintain a robust supply chain with eight containers of consumables imported monthly for uninterrupted care.

Agongo highlighted that Sage stands out not just for its numbers but also for its quality of care and dedicated professionals. He expressed willingness to partner with the government on the free dialysis program's success.

He called on Ghanaians and renal health specialists to collaborate with the government in addressing kidney disease challenges nationwide.