The Executive Chairman of First Sky Group, Eric Seddy Kutortse, has reaffirmed his company’s dedication to fully fund the establishment of a state-of-the-art kidney transplant centre as a long-term solution to kidney dysfunction treatment challenges in Ghana.
Mr. Kutortse revealed that a joint working committee, consisting of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital staff and First Sky Group representatives, is currently in place to ensure the realization of the project. The committee is working on submitting a budget for the centre’s establishment and a training program for local medical professionals who will run the facility. The goal is to complete these preparations by the end of the year.
The announcement came during a media briefing session that followed the successful kidney transplant procedures for two patients on July 4 and July 5, 2023, conducted by a team of Ghanaian health experts at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, led by Prof. Matthew Kyei. First Sky Group fully funded these successful kidney transplant operations, involving two male recipients and two female donors.
Mr. Kutortse emphasized that establishing a modern Kidney Transplant Centre in Ghana, the first of its kind in West Africa, will provide access to affordable and high-quality kidney dysfunction care for patients in the country and the sub-region. This initiative will also save the economy millions of foreign currencies that would have been spent on medical attention abroad.
Previously, in 2016, First Sky Group supported the Renal Dialysis Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital by paying off medical bills for patients and providing free dialysis for those who could not afford treatment. The company has spent over GH¢30,000,000.00 on the Free Dialysis Project, saving many lives and improving the lives of kidney dysfunction patients.
Mr. Kutortse assured that First Sky Group would continue funding free care and treatment for patients at the Renal Dialysis Unit while providing free kidney transplants to those who meet the KBTH criteria and cannot afford the procedure.
Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, the Chief Executive of KBTH, highlighted the hospital’s commitment to adhering to best practices and standards in kidney transplantation procedures. The hospital has an ethics committee in place, consisting of surgeons, lawyers, and other professionals, to ensure compliance with all necessary protocols.
Lead transplant experts, Prof. Matthew Kyei, Prof. James. E. Mensah, and Prof. Vincent Boima, shared insights and updates on kidney transplantation procedures and the patients’ progress. The hospital plans to perform another batch of kidney transplant operations in August 2023, involving three patients.
The Ghana Kidney Association recognized Mr. Kutortse’s partnership with the Renal Dialysis Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, presenting him with a plaque and award for his significant contribution to kidney disease care in Ghana.
During a previous event, Mr. Kutortse appealed to the government to consider covering at least two sessions of dialysis treatment under the National Health Insurance Scheme to further support kidney disease patients.
