Kidney Patients To Enjoy Free Transplant By September

Patients with kidney problems are expected to enjoy free kidney transplant at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Renal Dialysis Unit from September, this year.

The transplants according to reports would be provided by a team of British medical experts scheduled to arrive in the country in three months.

Though a patient is required to have a donor, the procedure would be funded by the construction firm First Sky Group.

In an interview with Daily Graphic, the Chairman for the Group, Eric Seddy Kutortse revealed the new initiative will serve as an exit plan from the Kidney Transplant Scheme, a program introduced by the same group.

“We have decided to collaborate with Korle Bu to establish a Kidney Transplanting Unit at the hospital.

“If that is done, we can have patients who have donors to be transplanted, so that they will be free from dialysis.”

Meanwhile, head of the Renal Dialysis Unit at Korle Bu, Dr. Vincent Boima said kidney diseases have been a burden on the country adding that it keeps rising.

“Globally, ours is really high. There are over 260 patients who are on the machine currently, but at the outpatients department alone, we have almost 4,000 people who are being followed up,” he revealed.

According to him, the First Sky Group’s scheme would help save the lives of many.

“Typically, at Korle Bu, dialysis cost GH¢260 in addition to prescription medication costs. For patients who need dialysis more than once a week, they pay anywhere from GH¢500 to GH¢800 weekly,” Dr Bioma said.

Patient receiving dialysis treatment at Korle Bu are extremely excited over the intervention.

According to a patient, Mr Cyril Bani, the inability to pay for dialysis had caused the death of many patients.

“Some even came once in a month and others were dying unduly. But now the level at which people die has come down due to the burden that has been reduced from us.

“Previously, we were paying GH¢260 per session and some people were required by the doctor to do it twice or three times in a week,” he said.

By: Abigail Karikari