The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) is entreating Parliament to provide a legal framework for organ donation and harvesting in the country.
The call comes after two successful kidney transplants performed in July 2023.
Chief Executive Officer of KBTH, Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, says transplantation is a more effective and cost-saving option that requires legislation.
“I am pleased that we have reached the point where, instead of bringing in foreign experts to perform the procedures, our local services are being used. And the areas for transplantation are not just limited to the kidney; we are also looking at liver transplant, cornea transplant, and other organs that can be transplanted.”
“Ultimately, we also need enabling legislation to ensure that this is supported. This will allow for more transplantations to take place so that we can ensure that most patients are taken off dialysis. This will also result in significant cost savings for individuals and the country as a whole,” he stated.
The KBTH Kidney Transplantation Programme is supported by the First Skyy Group, which is helping patients pay $21,000 per transplant.
Before establishing the transplantation programme, patients had to choose between travelling abroad or remaining on dialysis at a cost of GH¢ 400 per session.