Stem cell therapy best bet at reducing rising NCD burden – expert

Dr. Adedze, Medical Director at Mary-Lucy Hospital, spoke to the B&FT. He emphasized that current treatments focus on symptoms, not causes. This approach keeps patients dependent on long-term medication.

Stem cell therapy offers a new solution. It uses the body’s regenerative abilities to repair damaged tissues. This treatment has shown promise for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and joint degeneration.

In severe cases, stem cell therapy can restore organ function. This may reduce the need for expensive procedures like dialysis or surgery. Patients could experience fewer hospital visits and improved quality of life.

Ghana faces a growing crisis with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory conditions. NCDs now account for over 37 percent of deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This trend is expected to worsen by 2030. Globally, NCDs are responsible for nearly 75 percent of all deaths. The Ministry of Health and WHO launched Ghana's first nationwide NCD risk factor survey.

The survey revealed concerning trends in lifestyle choices. Tobacco use stands at 4.8 percent; shisha smoking is at 7.8 percent; alcohol consumption is at 2.5 percent. Additionally, 22.8 percent of young adults consume processed foods high in salt.

Physical inactivity affects 14.6 percent of women and 5.5 percent of men. Dr. Adedze noted that this rise in lifestyle-related diseases burdens the healthcare system significantly.

He stated that there are more hospitalizations and higher treatment costs now than before. Stem cell therapy could provide a sustainable solution to these issues.

Stem cell therapy is advancing rapidly as a medical field. It uses the body's own cells to repair tissues and restore organ function effectively. Unlike conventional treatments requiring lifelong medication or surgeries, it targets chronic conditions' root causes.

Adopting regenerative medicine could have significant economic benefits for Ghana's healthcare system. Rising costs from managing chronic diseases strain public resources and household incomes alike.

Though initially costly, stem cell therapy may be more cost-effective long-term by reducing hospital admissions and medication dependency.
The global regenerative medicine market is projected to exceed US$60 billion by 2030.
Ghana could become a regional leader in this field through medical tourism and investment opportunities.

Dr. Adedze remarked that countries investing early in stem cell research see benefits in healthcare and economics.
However, stem cell therapy remains underutilized due to regulatory uncertainty in Ghana.
Currently, no formal policies govern its use, leaving professionals and patients uncertain about legality.

Countries like Japan and South Korea have clear regulations for regenerative medicine.
Ghana needs comprehensive guidelines to facilitate responsible adoption of this technology.
Investment in research infrastructure is crucial for developing evidence-based protocols.

Establishing dedicated stem cell research centers would ensure ethical oversight.
Public-private partnerships could also bring funding from global health institutions.
While promising as a treatment option, Dr. Davies argues that stem cell therapy should be part of a broader strategy against NCDs.

He advocates preventive healthcare policies such as nutrition education and exercise promotion.
Reducing disease incidence through proactive measures should be the ultimate goal.
For those already affected by chronic illnesses, stem cell therapy can improve health outcomes significantly.

In 2022, Ghana took its first major step toward adopting stem cell treatment.
The Greater Accra Regional Hospital established the country’s first center for this purpose.
This facility aims to provide advanced treatment options for chronic diseases—a milestone for regenerative medicine in Ghana.

Dr. Adedze believes more must be done to expand access across the country.
With proper investment and policy reforms, Ghana can lead Africa in stem cell research applications.
As NCD prevalence rises, Ghana faces an important choice regarding its healthcare future.

Dr. Adedze remains optimistic about stem cell therapy's potential impact on public health.
He believes embracing this technology can reduce healthcare costs while improving overall health outcomes.
“The time to act is now,” he concluded emphatically