In a groundbreaking initiative, students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) have developed a prototype solar-powered dialysis machine to address Ghana’s critical shortage of dialysis equipment.

This innovative project, led by a team of science students, aims to provide an affordable and sustainable solution for kidney disease patients, particularly those in underserved areas with unreliable power supply.

Speaking to JoyNews, one of the student leaders of the team Serwaa Ankasa Abena Acheampong explained the functionality of the device.

“This machine is designed to filter toxic substances like urea, excess salt, and dissolved minerals from the blood of patients whose kidneys are no longer functioning properly. It operates under the principles of diffusion and osmosis, with the contaminated blood being cleansed in the dialyzer and returned to the patient through a continuous four-hour cycle,” she explained.

Touching on the materials used to build the dialysis machine, she mentioned locally sourced materials and solar technology.

The team used a mix of locally sourced materials and purchased components, including blood pressure sensors, electrocardiogram equipment, and solar panels. This integration of solar
technology ensures uninterrupted operation even during power outages, a common challenge in many parts of Ghana.

Priscilla Sampama, also a member of the team, highlighted the machine's advanced features, including built-in sensors that monitor vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, and blood flow rate. The device is also equipped with an automatic adjustment system and visual alarms to address any deviations during treatment.

However, the students noted that the prototype still requires further scientific refinement. They aim to enhance the machine's components, such as developing a robust peristaltic pump capable of trapping air bubbles to prevent potential harm to patients.

“So, it has to undergo some process of refining before it can come to the market. More scientific refining before it can come to the market. We want to invest in this because there are a lot of things that we are planning on adding. We want a robust peristaltic pump that will actually trap the air bubbles that we can even see because if they should go into a patient, it can end up killing the patient. So we have a lot of modifications to make,” Serwaa noted.

The team was inspired to embark on this project after learning about the dialysis crisis at Ghana’s leading health facility Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and many parts of the country, where patients face high costs and hospitals lack adequate dialysis machines. Their vision is to make dialysis more accessible and affordable, especially for rural communities.

“With this prototype, we hope to reduce the cost of dialysis and provide a solution for those in areas without reliable electricity,” said one team member.

The students are now seeking funding support to refine and commercialize their inventions. They estimate that with the necessary investment, the machine could be ready for deployment in hospitals and clinics across Ghana within two to five years.

“This is just the beginning. With adequate support, we believe this project has the potential to transform healthcare delivery in Ghana,” they said.

The solar-powered dialysis machine was exhibited during the PRIMETIME Sci-Tech innovation exhibition held in Accra.