St. Michael’s Specialist Hospital Launches Dialysis and Eye Care Units
St. Michael’s Specialist Hospital, on 5th February 2026, officially launched new Dialysis and Eye Care units to improve access to specialized healthcare services for Ghanaians.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ernest Konadu Asiedu, Chief Director at the Ministry of Health and Government Assistant to Dialysis Care in Ghana, represented the Honourable Minister of Health. He highlighted the alarming burden of chronic kidney disease and vision loss in the country.
According to Dr. Asiedu, thousands of Ghanaians require dialysis each year, yet limited access continues to lead to preventable deaths. He also noted that untreated eye conditions significantly affect productivity and quality of life.
He emphasized that health remains a key priority of the government and that dialysis treatment has now been included in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) benefit package to reduce the financial burden on patients.
Dr. Asiedu explained that the establishment of the Dialysis and Eye units at St. Michael’s Specialist Hospital aligns with the Ministry’s commitment to expanding access to life-saving renal and eye care services, which directly supports Ghana’s drive toward Universal Health Coverage.
He stressed that the government alone can not achieve universal health coverage without the support of the private sector, describing private health facilities as critical partners in innovation, capacity expansion, and efficiency within the healthcare system.
Describing the launch as more than the commissioning of new facilities, Dr. Asiedu said it reflects a strong public-private partnership aimed at delivering equitable and quality healthcare to all Ghanaians, regardless of their location or economic status.
He further indicated that during discussions with the hospital’s management, he sought clarification on whether the services would be accessible under the NHIS. He noted that as Ghana works toward universal health coverage, financing should not become a barrier to accessing quality care.
Dr. Asiedu added that the recent upward revision of healthcare tariffs by over 120 per cent is intended to support service providers, and he encouraged the hospital to consider affordability so that ordinary citizens can benefit from the advanced services.
He also observed that some patient accommodation costs appeared high and expressed hope that pricing adjustments would allow more people to access the facility’s quality care
