"And at the Accra-based Korle Bu Teaching Hospital alone, over 2,800 kidney cases were recorded in the first half of 2025. But despite the demand, or perhaps because of it, a kidney transplant in the West African country can currently cost around US$50,000 (43,000), far beyond what most citizens can afford. Dialysis treatment, for which the government rolled out a free program in late 2024, remains limited and expensive over time, with no assurance of cure."
"There are also shortages of surgeons and donors for eye care. As of 2022, Ghana had only four corneal surgeons, who managed just 14 surgeries nationwide. "A majority of Ghanaians who are corneal blind will never see again," said eye specialist Dr. James Addy, country director of the Himalayan Cataract Project. With about 250,000 visually impaired citizens, 11% are blind from corneal disease, while 26,000 risk irreversible blindness due to limited transplant options."
End-stage kidney disease affects many Ghanaians, with NHIA reporting 24 out of 1 million and Korle Bu recording over 2,800 kidney cases in early 2025. Kidney transplants cost approximately US$50,000, placing them out of reach for most citizens. The government launched a free dialysis program in late 2024, but dialysis capacity remains limited, costly over time, and not curative. Eye care faces severe shortages: as of 2022 there were only four corneal surgeons who performed 14 surgeries nationwide. About 250,000 people are visually impaired, 11% blind from corneal disease, and 26,000 risk irreversible blindness. A draft Organ and Tissue Donation Bill proposes a regulatory authority, transplant centers, tissue banks, and a national donor registry, but the bill remains pending.
Read at www.dw.com
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