Member of Parliament for Nadowli/Kaleo, Sumah M. Anthony
The Member of Parliament for Nadowli/Kaleo, Sumah M. Anthony, has called for urgent legislative action to regulate human organ and tissue donation in Ghana.
Speaking in Parliament, he emphasized the need for a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework to facilitate organ transplants and curb illegal practices.
Sumah made this statement on the floor of Parliament on Friday, February 21, 2025, stressing the necessity of a legal and regulatory framework for human organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Ghana.
He highlighted alarming statistics on organ transplantation, noting that “Globally, only 10% of tissue and organ transplantation needs are met, while the demand in the African region, including Ghana, remains largely unknown.
However, estimates suggest that the situation may be even more dire.”
He stressed that scientific studies on organ failure and related health challenges indicate a concerning trend.
Citing unofficial records, he noted that 13% of Ghanaians suffer from some form of kidney disease, with over 1,000 patients currently undergoing dialysis at the Nephrology Department of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
He further observed that the true extent of the problem could be significantly worse due to the lack of effective diagnostic systems outside urban centers like Accra and Kumasi.
Sumah underscored the importance of improving healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas, to ensure early diagnosis and management of kidney and other related diseases.
He emphasized that organ transplants are more cost-effective and offer better health outcomes compared to long-term dialysis.
Despite Ghana having skilled medical professionals capable of performing these procedures, the country lacks a legal framework to support and regulate organ donation.
The MP also raised concerns about organ trafficking and transplant tourism in the region, warning that the absence of legislation creates room for exploitation.
He, therefore, urged Parliament to take immediate action to establish a legal framework, ensuring that Ghanaians in need of life-saving transplants can access them safely and affordably.