a team of health professionals at Ghana’s Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has successfully carried out kidney transplants on two patients. This marks the first time such a complex operation has been performed by a local team in the country, showcasing the growing expertise and capabilities of Ghana’s medical professionals.
The surgeries took place on July 4 and 5 of this year, with both patients being males who are currently in the process of recovery at the hospital. The female donors, who generously contributed their kidneys, are also in good health and have been discharged from the facility. Notably, the team had the support of two foreign experts—an experienced theatre technician and a transplant surgeon—who provided additional guidance and confidence to the local medical professionals.
The cost of each surgery is estimated to be around $21,000, a significant reduction compared to the hefty expense of seeking treatment abroad. The First Sky Group, an indigenous private company, generously sponsored these surgeries, underscoring their commitment to improving healthcare accessibility in Ghana. Furthermore, the hospital is poised to perform three more kidney transplants next month, with continued sponsorship from the First Sky Group.
The impact of this breakthrough cannot be overstated, as many Ghanaian patients were previously compelled to travel to countries like India or South Africa for such procedures, which cost upwards of $250,000. By establishing the capacity for local kidney transplants, the KBTH and its team of professionals have not only saved patients considerable financial burden but also provided them with quality healthcare within their own country.
At a media briefing, Professor Mathew Kyei, a urologist, highlighted that the KBTH has evaluated its capacity and determined that it can perform three surgeries per month. Although six individuals were initially prepared for surgery, only three will be undertaken in the coming month. This limitation highlights the pressing need to expand local resources and expertise in the field of kidney transplantation.
Presently, there are approximately 1,000 individuals receiving dialysis in various hospitals across Ghana. To support these patients, the First Sky Group sponsors 250 individuals at the KBTH, ensuring they receive dialysis three times per week. This initiative has been instrumental in alleviating the burden on patients and fostering a more inclusive healthcare system.
Professor James Edward Mensah, the Head of the Department of Surgery at KBTH, provided an update on the two patients who underwent kidney transplants. He reported positive signs of progress, as the first patient started producing urine within 24 hours after the surgery, indicating a successful alignment of the new kidney with his body. To ensure the ethical and legal integrity of these procedures, an ethical committee comprising surgeons, lawyers, and other professionals has been established to develop guidelines and safeguards. The committee’s role is to ensure proper counseling for donors, minimize financial coercion, and prevent any legal complications.
Speaking at the briefing, the Executive Chairman of the First Sky Group, Eric Seddy Kutortse, expressed his company’s unwavering commitment to supporting kidney patients. The group has been providing free dialysis for KBTH beneficiaries since 2016, with a total expenditure of GH¢30 million. In the past, the First Sky Group also sponsored three patients to undergo kidney transplants in India, each costing $250,000 for both the patient and their donor. Recognizing the financial challenges associated with transplantation, the group decided to collaborate with the KBTH to facilitate local kidney transplants, thus reducing costs and expanding access to this life-saving procedure.
Furthermore, the First Sky Group, in collaboration with KBTH, has established a working committee to develop an ultra-modern kidney transplant center. This facility will be entirely funded by the company and aims to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure to support future kidney transplant operations. Mr. Kutortse emphasized that the KBTH has some of the most qualified medical personnel on the continent, but limited resources have led to a brain drain, with many professionals seeking opportunities abroad. Therefore, establishing a supportive environment, including a legal framework for organ donation and harvesting, is crucial to enable and strengthen transplant services in Ghana.
The CEO of KBTH expressed deep gratitude to the First Sky Group for their invaluable support in assisting kidney patients, noting that only a fraction of patients could afford the high costs associated with transplantation. The successful kidney transplants performed by the local team at KBTH represent a significant milestone in Ghana’s healthcare landscape, underscoring the potential for continued advancements in medical expertise and access to life-saving treatments within the country. With ongoing collaboration and support, the KBTH and its partners are poised to transform the lives of many more patients in need.
