The Renal Patients Association of Ghana has lauded the promise of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Mahama to build dialysis centres nationwide as a step in the right direction.

The spokesperson, Kojo Ahenkorah believes the promise if actualised will do away with the stress patients go through for treatment.

“It [dialysis] is a big challenge for the patients. I mean, some travel far and near to come and get treatment at Korle Bu. And it is a big challenge.

“I have two patients and we just lost one in May. She was commuting from Begoro in the Eastern region twice a week to Korle Bu to have her dialysis and she did that for 10 years before she passed on,” he said in an interview with Accra-based Citi News.

The former President has pledged to establish dialysis centres in all 16 regions of Ghana if re-elected in the December 7 election.

According to him, setting up dialysis centres in every region will help alleviate the difficulties faced by patients who currently have to travel long distances for treatment.

But for Mr Ahenkorah, it is important for the NDC to also take into consideration the high costs associated with dialysis treatment.

“So if now they [the NDC] have a plan of setting up dialysis centres in all the 16 regions, if it is done, it is going to help and improve and help patients to have their dialysis very simple.

“And then they should look at the pricing too. I don’t know if he talked about pricing because all I heard was he was going to build 16 dialysis centres in all the 16 regions,” he added.

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