First Sky Group to establish modern kidney transplant centre

The First Sky Group is to help establish a modern kidney transplant centre in Ghana by the end of the year.

The centre, believed to be the first of its kind in West Africa, would serve patients within the country and the sub region who are usually flown to India and South Africa for medical attention.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Mr Eric Seddy Kutortse, said this at the 19th anniversary and thanksgiving service of the First Sky Group in Accra yesterday.

It was on the theme “Out of God’s abundance, we have received grace upon grace- John 1:16”.

In attendance were dignitaries such as the Vice President of Liberia, Ms Jewel Howard Taylor, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, clergy, judiciary and staff of the company.

He said when completed, the centre would not only be a revenue generating medical service provider, but also help reduce the high cost involved in seeking kidney transplant service outside the country.

The CEO urged the government to consider making at least two sessions of dialysis a part of the medical services covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme to improve the quality of life of patients.

“This is achievable because partial coverage of dialysis treatment cost is being practised in other countries, including Kenya and South Africa,’’ he added.

He recalled that in 2017, the First Sky Group decided to support the dialysis unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra by paying off all the medical bills of all patients at the facility.

“Since the inception of the programme to date, the First Sky Group has spent GHC20,000,000.00 on the free dialysis project,’’ Mr Kutortse added.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who was represented by Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resource, said the government was committed to building a strong and healthy economy to withstand any greater catastrophe in future.

She said the government was also committed to creating sustainable private sector through policies and programmes for sustainable national development.

Ms Dapaah said the group had partnered with government in the area of healthcare by supporting kidney patients, and through them the first ever kidney transplant operation in Ghana was also done.

He commended Mr Kutortse for being the first to donate towards the construction of the National Cathedral complex, a project to show appreciation and trust to God.

She encouraged churches and individuals to contribute to the construction of the National Cathedral.

Preaching the sermon, the General Overseer of the Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams, called on Christians to be grateful and give thanks to God at all times.

“God wants us to show gratitude to him in everything that we do,” he added.

He urged Christians to forgive those who offended them and make a difference in the lives of others by impacting them positively,” he emphasised.

As part of the programme, prayers were said for the country, company and the staff.

 BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI