The Asaase Foundation has donated two dialysis machines to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) to enhance the delivery of renal care services in the Central Region and beyond.
The gesture now brings to eight the number of functional dialysis machines at the 26-year-old renal unit of the hospital, mitigating the pressure on the facility.
Mr Jimmy Kutin, the General Manager of Asaase Radio, observed with worry the increasing cases of kidney related conditions in the Central Region and the attendant pressure on the Teaching Hospital.
As one of the largest and most influential media organisations in Ghana, he said they had a responsibility beyond the airwaves to show empathy and offer real support to Ghanaians in such critical moments.
He said the donation of the two machines demonstrated their commitment to long healthy living for people with the condition and partnership with CCTH in saving lives.
Mr Kojo Mensah, President of the Asaase Foundation, said the Foundation had been a strong champion of quality health care services in its three years of operation with significant impact across the country including Wa, Sunyani, Tarkwa and Hohoe, where dialysis machines had been donated.
He said the cause of the Foundation was driven by a personal experience of a staff member who gave them a deeper understanding of the financial and emotional burden of kidney patients, compounded by the lack of adequate dialysis machines.
“It made us realise how urgent the situation is. kidney-related illnesses are widespread, and as a Foundation, we want to do what we can to make a difference,” he said.
“We started from Wa and we have donated machines to many hospitals over the past three years and we are happy to extend this support to Cape Coast,” he added.
Dr Eric Kofi Ngyedu, the CEO of CCTH, receiving the machines, highlighted the challenges of the renal unit and the impact on both the hospital and patients.
He said 10 out of 16 dialysis machines had become obsolete resulting in long queues and high pressure on the remaining six functional machines, describing the gesture as timely and critical.
Dr Ngyedu announced that the hospital was working to upgrade the renal unit to a nephrologist centre to cater for a wider range of conditions.
“But for now, we need to make do with the aged machines, and we are extremely grateful for this support,” he said.
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, expressed excitement with the gesture, recounting the difficult experiences of a close friend.
He commended the Foundation for thinking about humanity and entreated corporate bodies and individuals to emulate the gesture.
“It doesn’t have to me millions of monies. You can show love and empathy or share a word of encouragement with somebody, and it will make the world a better place,” he said.
He entreated the hospital to take good care of the machines to serve their purpose for an extended period.
Mr Justice Arthur, the Mayor of Cape Coast, lauded the Foundation for demonstrating compassion as the machines would enhance the hospital’s capacity to save more lives.
He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening health care and introducing initiatives to bring relief to the of people of Cape Coast.
GNA
