The 2025 China–West Africa Nephrology and Dialysis Innovation Forum, held on August 22 2025 at the Accra International Conference Centre, stood out as a pivotal session within the Medical and Health Industry Expo. By zeroing in on kidney disease—a condition rapidly straining West Africa’s health systems—the forum demonstrated how the Expo is not just about showcasing technology, but about fostering actionable partnerships and knowledge exchange that respond to the region’s most urgent healthcare needs.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is rising sharply in the region, fueled by hypertension, diabetes, late diagnosis, and environmental factors. With dialysis services limited to urban centers and often unaffordable, thousands of patients face delayed care or no access at all. The forum highlighted how underfunded infrastructure, low public awareness, and insufficient policy prioritization continue to worsen outcomes.
The event was designed to foster policy advocacy, showcase innovation, and spark collaborative strategies to scale up prevention and treatment. It also marked the launch of the West Africa Kidney Health Action Agenda, a framework aimed at strengthening CKD prevention, improving treatment accessibility, and raising awareness.
Key Highlights
The program featured expert-led discussions, surgical demonstrations, and practical insights from Chinese and Ghanaian specialists:
- Prince Opoku Dogbey, Vice President of HCOWA, delivered the welcome address, calling for stronger regional and international cooperation to confront CKD.
- Lui Yang (Yibin Second People’s Hospital) and Zhong Hui (West China Hospital of Sichuan University) presented live demonstrations of modified laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion, showcasing minimally invasive techniques to improve patient outcomes.
- Dr. Kumashie (The Bank Hospital) and Dr. Paulina Mefia Denteh contributed key insights on clinical management and patient care in Ghana.
- Tang Yi (Yibin Second People’s Hospital) shared West China Hospital’s experience in managing complications of peritoneal dialysis patients, offering practical lessons for local practice.
- Dr. Yang Yongguang, Chief Physician with the 14th Chinese Medical Aid Team, emphasized the importance of capacity building and medical exchange programs to strengthen dialysis services across the subregion.
The forum also introduced portable dialysis machines, AI-assisted renal diagnostics, and mobile treatment units, highlighting how technology can extend services to underserved rural communities. Patient testimonies underscored the human cost of inadequate access, reminding participants that solutions must prioritize affordability and reach.
By bringing together global innovations and regional realities, the 2025 Nephrology and Dialysis Innovation Forum underscored that tackling kidney disease requires more than medical expertise—it demands partnerships, sustained policy support, and investment in health infrastructure. The launch of the West Africa Kidney Health Action Agenda signals a concrete step toward building stronger, more inclusive kidney care systems for the future.
