Strong support has been shown by the Renal Patients Association of Ghana for attempts to hasten the adoption of the proposed Organ Transplant Bill, which they see as an essential step in addressing the rising incidence of renal disorders in the nation.
The legislation is anticipated to establish a thorough legislative framework to regulate organ donation and transplantation in Ghana, according to the association.
They claim that such a framework will provide access to life-saving transplant treatments for patients who now have few treatment alternatives while also assisting in ensuring appropriate regulation.
This comes after Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, revealed that kidney-related disorders impact over 19% of the population, highlighting the need for more robust healthcare interventions and better treatment options.
Baffour Kojo Ahenkorah, President of the Renal Patients Association of Ghana, stated in an interview that the new law is long overdue and has the potential to significantly improve care and survival rates for Ghanaians with renal disorders.
”I think it is long overdue. We have been in this situation for a very long time. Normally, people have to travel outside the country to undergo transplants, although recently there have been attempts to perform some of these procedures here in Ghana. However, it has still been quite challenging,” he remarked.
He pointed out that a lot of patients think the policy ought to have been implemented years ago to allow for appropriate organ harvesting and storage procedures.
“Many people believe that this policy should have been in place long ago so that organs could be harvested and stored in organ banks. Then, when a suitable match is found, the transplant can be done for the patient,” he clarified.
Ahenkorah further mentioned that such initiatives had previously been started but had failed due to a change in government.
“So truly, it is long overdue. I remember that during the previous administration something similar was initiated. Unfortunately, the process stalled when there was a change in government and a new administration took over,” he continued.
Source: newsthemegh.com