Togo / Towards quality health care for all: A new nephrology and haemodialysis department at Kara University Hospital

In a significant step toward improving healthcare access in Togo, the government has announced the construction of a nephrology and hemodialysis unit at the Kara University Hospital (CHU Kara).

The project, unveiled on November 22 by Kokou Wotobe, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health, aims to enhance care for patients with kidney conditions, addressing a critical gap in the country’s healthcare infrastructure.

Backed by $850 million in funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Ecobank Group, the facility will provide specialized services, including hemodialysis—a lifesaving procedure for filtering blood using artificial kidneys.

This marks a major advancement for northern Togo, where such care has historically been unavailable, forcing many patients to travel to the capital for treatment.

By decentralizing essential healthcare services, the project aligns with the government’s strategy to bridge regional inequalities in access to medical care.

It also underscores President Faure Gnassingbé’s commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to all Togolese citizens, as part of broader efforts to strengthen the national healthcare system.

The new unit is expected to reduce the financial and physical burden on patients while improving health outcomes for those suffering from chronic kidney diseases.

This initiative highlights Togo’s dedication to fostering a healthier population and placing healthcare at the center of its socio-economic development agenda.