Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, the President’s Advisor on Health, has encouraged Ghanaians to consider donating organs to help those in need, particularly for kidney-related issues.
He believes that organ donation can be a solution to the problem of kidney failure in the country and could also position Ghana as a medical tourism destination in West Africa.
Dr Nsiah Asare specifically mentioned kidney and cornea donations as important ways to make a difference. He emphasised that individuals can donate one of their two kidneys, as the body can function with just one. He also highlighted the potential for donating corneas from deceased individuals, which can significantly improve the quality of life for those in need.
Regarding organ donation, he mentioned that there is an ongoing effort to review and pass a law in Ghana to regulate organ harvesting, storage, and donation. This law would cover various organs, not just kidneys. He also mentioned that the government is working on building the capacity of surgeons in this area.
In light of recent discussions about the cost of dialysis treatment in Ghana, Dr Nsiah Asare urged hospitals with renal dialysis units to purchase essentials in bulk to reduce costs. Additionally, he called on pharmaceutical companies to manufacture consumables that could help decrease the overall cost of dialysis.
The conversation about organ donation and access to affordable medical treatments has gained prominence recently, particularly concerning kidney-related health issues and dialysis treatment costs in Ghana.
Dr Nsiah Asare made this appeal while discussing the cost of dialysis treatment on Accra-based Joy FM on Thursday, October 5, 2023.