Unavailability of corneal tissues, a huge problem for sight restoration

Ophthalmological Society is calling for necessary action to address the lack of access to corneal tissues in the country.
According to the Organisation, an absence of legislation held up organ donations and tissue harvesting in the country, leaving more than 20,000 suffering corneal diseases in the dark in spite of available surgical cure.
Professor Seth Lartey, Chief Examiner at the Faculty of Ophthalmology at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, said at the 33rd Annual General Meeting of the Society, that some 12,400 corneal transplants were needed presently, and that the lack of access to tissues remained the main challenge.
He therefore appealed to the Government to consider the passage of the required laws that would facilitate and regulate medical practice.
“Corneas are not available, and it is a huge problem, and we need legislation to make it happen. We need the legislation passed as soon as possible to harvest tissues,” he said.
Prof Lartey reiterated the Society’s call for the establishment of a cornea bank for the country saying that a sizable number of the nation’s population were willing to donate tissues.
He mentioned limited ophthalmological surgeons, saying Ghana presently had only five, and which signaled the near impossibility of meeting the demand.
He also said that the number of optometrists in the health system was limited, affecting access to early diagnosis for many.
The 33rd annual general was held on the theme “The Fight Against Corneal Blindness in Ghana: The Journey So Far and The Way Forward,” and in attendance were hundreds of ophthalmologists from across the country.
Dr. Dziffa Bella Ofori-Adjei, President of the Society in her welcome address at the opening of the three-day AGM, said the pursuit of legislation for the medical practice had been ongoing for years, and that it was time for the government and the entire populace to accept the need.
“No meaningful fight against corneal blindness can succeed without policy support. As a society, we must continue to be vocal advocates for change.
“We urge the government to continue increasing investment in eye health, particularly in the passing of the legislation for tissue (including cornea) and organ donation. This has been a long time coming and Government must act now,” she said.
Society is also pushing for the establishment of a cornea bank, which would be made possible with the passage of the legislature sought after.
Prof revealed at the AGM that a meeting had been scheduled with the Ministry of health, and said it was a hopeful indication of government commitment.
Some 12 new members were inducted into the Society at the meeting.
GNA