The Maker’s House Chapel International (TMHCI) will be extending financial support to the renal units of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) and 37 Military Hospital. This effort comes as a response to the urgent dialysis crisis faced by these healthcare facilities. Driven by their faith and desire to make a meaningful impact, TMHCI aims to provide vital assistance to patients who are unable to afford necessary treatments.
TMHCI’s Founder, Dr. Michael Boadi Nyamekye, emphasized the church’s responsibility in fulfilling the gospel by extending a helping hand to those in need. At the conclusion of this year’s “Experience Conference” held in Accra, Dr. Nyamekye announced that TMHCI will continue to offer monthly support to individuals who are unable to cover the cost of their dialysis sessions. Their firm belief in the power of collective social responsibility drives TMHCI to urge other churches to join them in this noble cause.
Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, CEO of KBTH, expressed the deepest appreciation for TMHCI’s generous gesture during the conference. He highlighted the critical role dialysis plays in the lives of numerous patients and acknowledged the devastating effects of insufficient funding on their well-being. Dr. Ampomah praised TMHCI’s commitment to serving as an instrument of God’s work and expressed his heartfelt gratitude for their support.
Recent news broke of KBTH increasing the cost per dialysis session from GH¢380 to GH₵765. This significant price hike was attributed to high taxes levied on consumables. The hospital’s management revealed that maintaining the previous charges would result in the imminent closure of the dialysis unit. This development has sparked reactions from both individuals and organizations.
Renal function impairments affect an estimated 13 to 17 percent of Ghana’s population. However, the country only has approximately 300 dialysis machines scattered across the nation, with the majority concentrated in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. Shockingly, four regions lack access to even a single dialysis machine, forcing patients to travel long distances each week in search of adequate care. The cost of dialysis sessions ranges from GH₵300 to GH₵1000, with government and quasi-government health facilities averaging at GH₵400 per session. On average, patients require a minimum of three dialysis sessions per week.
Dr. Nyamekye emphasized that TMHCI’s initiative aims to support the government and medical facilities in addressing this critical situation. Additionally, he noted that the church has previously engaged in humanitarian missions during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing food and essential supplies to vulnerable communities. TMHCI has also played a crucial role in the renovation of a psychiatric hospital in Accra, creating employment opportunities for the youth and offering scholarships to deserving but financially disadvantaged students.
