Egyptian health minister discusses with Japanese expert transferring experience on organ transplantation

CAIRO – 2 January 2023: Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar discussed Sunday with the Japanese expert in organ transplantation, Morio Kasahara, transferring experience in the field in Egypt, pointing out that the country is particularly interested in liver transplant, and children surgeries.

The minister had told the House of Representative's Health Committee that the number of visually-impaired patients on the waiting list of state-funded corneas is 1,050, and that the cost of one is at least $1,500.

The minister said that the number of state-funded cornea transplant operations is quite low compared to the need. He clarified that there are 50,000 patients, who need cornea transplants, while the number of those done between 2019 and 2022 is 8,500.

As for the reason behind the low figure, Abdel Ghaffar explained that many doctors fear from carrying out the operation, as it is quite intricate. That is in addition to the high exchange rate, which makes it difficult to import.

On the other hand, there is a very cheap alternative, which is the donation of cornea after death, as then, the cost would be around LE150. Yet, the minister blamed the lack of awareness for the shortage.