If we had the legal backing, cornea transplant could cost not more than GHC500 – Korle Bu CEO

Dr Yakubu Adam, CEO of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

The Chief Executive of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam, has joined the growing chorus of voices calling for Parliament to expedite the passage of legislation on organ harvesting in Ghana.

Currently, the country lacks a comprehensive law governing organ donation, harvesting, and transplantation, forcing patients to seek expensive treatment abroad.

He highlighted the financial strain on patients who require organ transplants, citing the example of corneal transplants.

‘‘With our own population, if they need a kidney transplant, they have to travel to India, America, or the UK. We have the expertise here to do the work, if only the legislative approval is given, as eye surgeons, we perform corneal transplants, but we cannot get corneas locally. We have to import them from America, where the lowest price is between $3,000 and $4,000. If we had the legislation, we could harvest corneas here, and a patient would not spend more than GH₵500’’ he explained.

Similarly, patients in need of kidney transplants are forced to travel to countries like India, the US, or the UK for treatment, despite Ghana having qualified specialists capable of performing the operations.

He said this when members of the Health Committee of Parliament visited the hospital to acquaint themselves with operations on September 4, 2025.

The proposed legislation would not only reduce the financial burden on patients but also boost local capacity, reduce medical tourism and ensure ethical standards.

Dr. Adam’s call for legislation is echoed by other stakeholders, including the First Sky Group, which has been advocating for laws to allow the harvesting and transplantation of vital organs.

With the absence of a law governing organ harvesting and transplantation, Ghana’s healthcare system is missing out on a critical opportunity to save lives and improve the quality of care for patients in need of organ transplants.

It is imperative that Parliament takes action to address this gap and provide a framework for organ donation and harvesting in Ghana.

 

 

Source:Lovinghananews.com

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