At the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), two patients underwent kidney transplants; they are now recovering. It is the first time the extremely delicate surgery has been performed at Ghana’s top hospital.
A group of specialists from Ghana, including doctors, nurses, and anesthetists, performed the procedures on the two male patients on July 4 and 5, 2023, among other dates.
A theatre technician and a transplant surgeon were available to the crew as confidence boosters.
The female kidney donors who helped the patients are said to be in good health and have already been let go.
According to Professor James Edward Mensah, Head of the Department of Surgery at KBTH, the first patient started making urine 24 hours after the initial surgery, which was a sign that his body had synchronized with the new kidney.
He also revealed that a committee comprised of surgeons, lawyers, and other experts had been formed to develop rules to ensure that the hospital did not become embroiled in any legal disputes while trying to save the lives of patients with kidney-related diseases.
Prof. Mensah added that the committee would make sure, among other things, that kidney donors received appropriate counseling and information.
The pricy surgery, with each procedure costing an estimated $21,000, was funded by the Ghanaian-owned First Sky Group.
Approximately 1,000 people are currently receiving dialysis at various hospitals across the country, and the First Sky Group is responsible for paying for 250 patients’ three weekly visits to the KBTH for dialysis.
In other news, the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2023 has been approved by Parliament.
This means that the Ministry of Interior is required to grant licenses for the cultivation of cannabis in order to make it possible to use this plant for a variety of advantageous purposes.
The Supreme Court blocked the law’s passage by declaring section 43 of it unconstitutional, which led to the current development.
