The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Dacosta Aboagye is recommending investment in local research for the manufacturing of dialysis equipment.

This has become imperative in retooling dialysis units of major hospitals selected for the full implementation of the free dialysis programme.

The NHIA has announced twenty health facilities that will provide free dialysis treatment across the country starting this December.

The initiative is being rolled out fully after a successful pilot program in June this year.

CEO of the NHIA, Dr. Dacosta Aboagye has identified inadequate dialysis machines among challenges in the implementation of the programme.

“We received letters from some hospitals in the request for dialysis machines. We went to the World Bank and they directed us on what to do. We have gone through the process and applied to the Public Procurement Authority. If we get the machines for the hospitals, dialysis will be convenient for all”, Dr. Dacosta Aboagye said.

In a move to deal with the cost involved in securing a dialysis machine, some students of the Obuasi Senior High Technical School have developed a prototype solar-powered dialysis machine.

This innovative project was built with locally sourced materials with sensors integrated for the measurement of a patient’s vitals.

With the energy from solar, the machine is built to operate even in the absence of electricity.

Team Lead, Abena Serwaa Nkansah Acheampong believes with the needed investments, the machine can be fully developed for clinical use.

“It has not been fully developed, if it should go under several series of trials it can be used. We have proven that it can be done if we put in the right resources”, she emphasized.

Meanwhile, the CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority is impressed by the initiative, advocating funding to improve the prototype.

Dr. Dacosta Aboagye believes local industries should be empowered to build such machines.

“I will give feedback to government and we see how to support it. With digital innovations and the focus on the fourth industrial revolution, this is the area to support”, he said.

The NHIA CEO made a cash donation to the school to support the initiative.