Seidu Agongo Endorses 'Mahama Cares' as Solution to Dialysis Crisis
Accra, Ghana - 21 April, 2025 - A prominent businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Seidu Agongo, has welcomed the government's decision to introduce a free dialysis program under the Ghana Medical Trust, also known as Mahama Cares.
He believes this initiative could be the solution to the country's dialysis crisis, which has left many kidney disease patients struggling to access treatment due to funding and service availability constraints.
Currently, seven of Ghana's 13 regions lack dialysis centers, forcing patients to travel long distances for treatment. Alhaji Agongo, who founded the Sage Medical Center in Accra, notes that the cost of dialysis is prohibitively expensive, with each session costing GH₵ 750.
Sage Medical Center, founded by Alhaji Seidu Agongo in 2020 at East Legon, has since imported over 650 dialysis machines and provides treatments to an average of 10,000 patients every year
"When it comes to dialysis, access and capacity to pay are challenges. Every session costs GHS75,0 and every patient requires three sessions a week."
"Can you imagine the amount required on dialysis alone in a week, not to mention other expenses," he asked.
"What it means is if you're a kidney patient in any of these seven regions, you have to travel to the other six regions for treatment or risk deterioration and early death."
"If you consider the fact that patients require dialysis three times a week to live, then you can imagine the additional pressure it takes for a renal patient to seek treatment in another region," he said.
He believes the Mahama Cares initiative, with its sustainable funding model, could expand access to free dialysis services nationwide.
Alhaji Agongo is calling for partnerships between the government and indigenous entrepreneurs with experience in the sector to implement the initiative successfully. He also appeals to Ghanaians and renal health specialists to join forces to address the growing kidney disease challenge in the country.
The Sage Medical Center, equipped with advanced technology, currently serves thousands of patients annually. Alhaji Agongo hopes the government's initiative will complement private sector efforts to provide quality care to those in need.
"These machines are supported by a consistent and robust supply chain — with eight containers of dialysis consumables imported every month of components like bloodlines and fistula needles, ensuring uninterrupted treatment and the highest standards of care," he said
"What sets Sage apart is not just the numbers — but the quality of our care, the dedication of our professionals, and our ability to deliver consistently even in the face of rising demand,"
Source: Lead News Online
