A team of health professionals at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has successfully conducted Kidney Transplants on two patients, marking the first such operations performed by a local team in Ghana.

The procedures took place on July 4 and 5, and the patients, both male, are currently in recovery at the facility. The female donors who provided the kidneys have been discharged and are also doing well.

The surgeries were made possible by the sponsorship of the First Sky Group, an indigenous private company.

The breakthrough in local kidney transplants is expected to significantly reduce the financial burden on patients who previously had to travel abroad, particularly to India or South Africa, where such surgeries can cost over $250,000.

Each surgery performed by the Ghanaian team is estimated to cost $21,000.

According to Professor Mathew Kyei, a urologist at KBTH, the hospital has assessed its capacity and plans to perform three additional kidney transplants next month. Currently, there are approximately 1,000 people undergoing dialysis in various hospitals across the country.

The First Sky Group sponsors 250 patients for thrice-weekly dialysis sessions at KBTH.

Professor James Edward Mensah, the Head of the Department of Surgery at KBTH, provided an update on the two patients, stating that their bodies had responded well to the transplants.

The hospital has established an ethical committee comprising surgeons, lawyers, and other professionals to ensure adherence to guidelines and prevent any legal issues related to kidney transplantation.

Eric Seddy Kutortse, the Executive Chairman of the First Sky Group, expressed the company's ongoing commitment to supporting kidney patients.

Since 2016, the group has sponsored dialysis treatments at KBTH, investing GH¢30 million ($5.4 million) in the initiative.

Mr. Kutortse explained that due to the high cost of overseas transplants, the group decided to support local kidney transplants to reduce expenses and provide more people with access to free procedures.

Prof. Vincent Boima, the Head of Nephrology at KBTH, emphasized the advantages of renal transplants and the burden of kidney diseases in Ghana. He noted that transplantation is cost-effective and allows patients to resume normal lives.

However, due to the lack of local transplantation services, patients have had to travel with their donors, resulting in higher costs. Prof. Boima emphasized KBTH's goal of eliminating the need for patients to seek transplants abroad.

Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, CEO of KBTH, discussed the future of transplantation at the hospital. He highlighted the need for a legal framework for organ donation and harvesting to facilitate transplantation services in the country.

Currently, KBTH imports corneas for transplantation, but Dr. Ampomah expressed hope for legislation that would enable domestic procurement of organs.

Dr. Ampomah commended the First Sky Group for its support in helping kidney patients at KBTH, as the cost of surgery remains a significant barrier for many individuals.