The Upper East branch of the Old Vandals Association, an alumni group of the Commonwealth Hall at the University of Ghana, has donated GH¢15,000 towards the establishment of a renal dialysis center at the Upper East Regional Hospital. This contribution aims to enhance healthcare services and improve access to critical treatment for patients suffering from kidney-related ailments in the region.
The absence of a renal dialysis center in the Upper East Region with a population of over 1 million inhabitants makes life unbearable for persons suffering from kidney diseases. As a result, persons with kidney diseases are transported to either Tamale or Kumasi for treatment. It is against this backdrop that residents of the region in March 2023 launched a campaign to raise funds to establish the unit in the region to lessen the cost and risk of transporting patients weekly for treatment.
Presenting a paid-in banker’s draft of GH¢15,000 to the management of the hospital, the Life Patron of the Old Vandals in the Upper East Region, COP Patrick Akolgo (retired) reaffirmed the association’s dedication to giving back to the community and championing causes that promote the well-being of Ghanaians.
“Old Vandals stand for the society and service to mankind. So, when this project came up, trying to set up a renal dialysis center, we took it upon ourselves that we needed to do something. So, members voluntarily put something together to come and support the project,” COP Akolgo stated.
According to the Life Patron, the establishment of a renal dialysis center at the Upper East Regional Hospital is a critical step towards addressing the growing demand for dialysis services in the region, “including the North East and parts of the Upper West region, as well as neighboring Burkina Faso and Togo.”
The Upper East Regional President of the Old Vandals, Raymond Ayinne Akolbire, described the absence of a dialysis center for the region as a huge gap that affects proper health delivery. He appealed to other groups, institutions, and individuals to support the worthy cause.
Dr. Aiden Saanwie, Medical Director of the Upper East Regional Hospital, on behalf of management, expressed profound appreciation to the Old Vandals Association for their generous contribution, noting the significant impact it will have on the lives of patients when the facility starts operating.
Dr. Saanwie, who took the Old Vandals around the facility, said the establishment of a dialysis center in the region is at the tail end of its completion, “because there are some few tests that have to be done, such as the water system, and once those tests are done, we will have our first patient on the dialysis machine.”
Among the members of the Old Vandals Association present during the donation was the Spiritual Lead, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Razak.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Bolgatanga|
