Historic Breakthrough: Tetteh Quarshie Hospital Performs First Dialysis 64 Years After Establishment
New Dialysis Centre Brings Lifesaving Kidney Treatment Closer to Patients in Eastern Region After Decades of Referrals
- Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital performs its first dialysis in 64 years after establishing a modern renal centre
- Kidney patients in Mampong and nearby communities can now access lifesaving treatment locally without travelling long distances
- The GH₵5.8 million dialysis centre was delivered through partnerships with SHEILD, corporate institutions, philanthropists and health expert
Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital has achieved a historic milestone by successfully conducting its first-ever dialysis treatment, more than six decades after the facility was established in 1961.
The groundbreaking procedure, carried out at the hospital’s newly commissioned Dialysis Centre, represents a major boost to renal healthcare in Mampong and the broader Eastern Region. The development offers renewed hope to kidney patients who previously had to travel long distances to access life-saving dialysis services.
The maiden dialysis session was performed on January 3, 2026, on a 47-year-old woman by a 10-member team of renal specialists led by internal medicine expert Dr Christabel Owusu. Hospital management described the moment as both historic and emotional, noting it fulfilled a long-standing goal of expanding specialist services and improving access to critical care.
Closing a Critical Gap in Care
Before the establishment of the centre, patients with chronic kidney disease or acute renal failure in the hospital’s catchment area were routinely referred to tertiary facilities in Accra and other major cities—often at significant financial and emotional cost.
Health data indicates that chronic kidney disease claims more than 4,000 lives annually in Ghana, while fewer than 400 dialysis machines are available nationwide. These machines are concentrated in only nine of the country’s 16 regions, leaving many patients with limited access to treatment.
Establishment of the Dialysis Centre
The GH₵5.8 million dialysis centre was developed through a multi-sector partnership led by Sustainable Health Education and Interventions (SHEILD) with support from corporate institutions, philanthropists and public figures. The project included renovation of a dedicated ward, installation of four modern dialysis machines, water treatment systems, biomedical equipment, and training for nurses and technicians in renal care.
The facility was officially unveiled in May 2025 by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin and has since been equipped with standard safety and infection-prevention protocols in line with national health guidelines.
Hope for Patients and Community
Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Kofi Ablorh, expressed gratitude to SHEILD and its partners, noting that the centre has significantly enhanced the hospital’s capacity to deliver critical renal care.
Health experts say the new dialysis service will provide immense relief for patients requiring long-term treatment and could be life-saving for those suffering from acute kidney failure, including complications arising from pregnancy.
Stakeholders have also appealed to corporate bodies and philanthropists to support a dialysis fund aimed at assisting vulnerable patients with the high cost of treatment.
The launch of dialysis services at Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital marks a turning point in the facility’s development, positioning it as a growing hub for specialised and life-saving healthcare in the Eastern Region.
