TheHealthReport25: A case of using one’s own stem cells (autologous) for therapy

Kwame was only 29 when he was told he needed spinal surgery. Years of back pain had worsened into something unbearable—his movements were limited, his job was at risk, and the prospect of paralysis loomed if the condition deteriorated further. The recommended surgery would cost GH¢90,000, an impossible sum for him. With no alternative, he braced himself for a lifetime of discomfort.

Then he heard about stem cell therapy. Skeptical but desperate, he consulted a specialist who explained how his own body’s healing mechanisms could be harnessed. Instead of an invasive operation, stem cells from his own blood and fat tissue would be injected into his spine to regenerate damaged tissues. The cost? A fraction of the price of surgery—just GH¢20,000.

The results were astonishing. Within days, Kwame regained mobility, and within weeks, he was pain-free. A single stem cell session had saved him from a costly, high-risk surgery and a lifetime of chronic pain.

A miracle after 10 failed IVF cycles: My journey to motherhood

I’m overwhelmed with joy and gratitude as I share my incredible story of becoming a mother after 10 failed IVF cycles. My name is Gifty, and I’m 51 years old. My husband and I had almost lost hope of starting a family, but thanks to the revolutionary stem cells therapy at Mary-Lucy Hospital, our dream finally came true.

After years of struggling with infertility, we had tried every possible treatment, including 10 IVF cycles. Each failure was a devastating blow, leaving us emotionally drained and financially exhausted. We were on the verge of giving up when we discovered Mary-Lucy Hospital’s stem cells therapy program.

The treatment was surprisingly straightforward, and I experienced minimal discomfort. The real miracle happened when, after several weeks, I discovered I was pregnant! It was an emotional moment, and we couldn’t believe our luck.

Throughout my pregnancy, the team at Mary Lucy Hospital provided exceptional care and support. On 19^th March 2025, I gave birth to a healthy, beautiful baby boy. It was a moment we’ll cherish forever.

I’m forever grateful to Mary-Lucy Hospital and their innovative stem cell therapy program. If you’re struggling with infertility, I urge you to consider this life-changing treatment. Don’t give up hope – our miracle is proof that anything is possible.

Kwame’s and Gifty’s story is not unique. Across the world, stem cell therapy is redefining medicine, offering people not just treatment, but true healing. Yet in Ghana, the technology remains underutilized, misunderstood, and unregulated. The question we must ask is: why are we not embracing a medical breakthrough that has the power to transform lives?

Few medical advancements hold as much promise as stem cell therapy. It is a field that challenges conventional approaches to healing and offers a new frontier in treating chronic diseases, degenerative conditions, and even the aging process itself. Yet, despite its proven potential, stem cell therapy remains underutilized in Ghana, shrouded in misconceptions, ethical debates, and regulatory uncertainty.

At its core, stem cell therapy is not a radical or unnatural concept. It is based on the body’s own intrinsic ability to repair itself. Every human being is born with stem cells—undifferentiated cells capable of transforming into specialized tissues when needed. When we sustain an injury, it is not antibiotics or painkillers that heal the wound, but stem cells working behind the scenes to regenerate the damaged tissue. These same regenerative properties can be harnessed in medicine to repair damaged organs, treat chronic conditions, and even slow the aging process.

The significance of this cannot be overstated. Unlike conventional medicine, which often manages symptoms without addressing the root cause, stem cell therapy offers a true pathway to healing. The question now is: why is Ghana not investing in this transformative medical technology?

The science of healing – How Stem Cell Therapy works

The regenerative potential of stem cells makes them one of the most powerful tools in modern medicine. Unlike traditional drugs, which rely on chemical interactions to alter biological processes, stem cells actively restore damaged tissues. This is particularly useful in treating conditions where cells have been lost or impaired—arthritis, spinal injuries, diabetes, and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

The science is straightforward. When stem cells are introduced into a damaged area, they integrate with the surrounding tissue, stimulating regeneration and restoring function. For example, a patient with degenerative joint disease can receive stem cell injections directly into the affected joint, promoting cartilage repair and eliminating the need for invasive surgeries. But this is not just theoretical. Around the world, stem cell therapy has helped stroke patients regain mobility, enabled diabetics to restore insulin production, and allowed heart disease patients to regenerate damaged cardiac tissue. The impact is real, and the benefits are undeniable.

The economic case – Why Ghana cannot afford to ignore Stem Cell Therapy

Critics of stem cell therapy often point to cost as a prohibitive factor. It is true that stem cell treatments require specialized expertise and infrastructure, but this should be seen as an investment rather than an expense. In the long run, stem cell therapy could reduce Ghana’s healthcare burden significantly.

Consider the financial strain of chronic disease management. Ghana’s healthcare system, like many in Africa, is grappling with rising cases of diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and stroke—conditions that demand long-term medication and repeated hospital visits.

These diseases are not only financially draining for patients but also place immense pressure on public healthcare resources. Stem cell therapy, by contrast, offers a one-time intervention that could eliminate or drastically reduce the need for lifelong medication.

In countries where regenerative medicine is gaining ground, patients who once depended on daily insulin injections or painkillers for arthritis have seen dramatic improvements, reducing their dependency on pharmaceuticals.

Moreover, as more clinics and research institutions embrace autologous stem cell therapy (where a patient’s own stem cells are used), costs will inevitably decline, making treatment more accessible to a wider population. Ghana has an opportunity to become a leader in regenerative medicine in Africa, attracting both medical tourists and research investment in the process.

The ethical and regulatory landscape

One of the biggest barriers to stem cell therapy’s acceptance in Ghana is the lack of a clear regulatory framework. Currently, there is no legislation governing the practice, which creates uncertainty among medical professionals and potential investors. The ethical debate surrounding embryonic stem cells—those derived from embryos—has also clouded public perception.

While it is true that embryonic stem cells have strong regenerative properties, most stem cell therapies do not rely on them. Instead, adult stem cells, derived from a patient’s own bone marrow, fat, or blood, are widely used in regenerative medicine. These procedures are ethically sound and present no risk of rejection, as they involve reinfusing a patient’s own cells.

The challenge, therefore, is not an ethical one, but a regulatory and educational gap. Countries like Japan, South Korea, and the United States have implemented clear policies that ensure both safety and accessibility. Ghana must follow suit, establishing guidelines that protect patients while allowing medical innovation to thrive.

Overcoming Big Pharma’s resistance

Another obstacle—one rarely discussed openly—is the pharmaceutical industry’s reluctance to support stem cell therapy. The global pharmaceutical market thrives on lifelong treatment models. Chronic diseases require continuous medication, and this sustained demand ensures steady profits.

Stem cell therapy disrupts this model. By offering long-term solutions rather than symptomatic relief, it threatens the profitability of traditional drug treatments. This explains why big pharmaceutical companies have been slow to invest in regenerative medicine.

Ghana must be wary of adopting policies that prioritize the interests of multinational pharmaceutical firms over the well-being of its own citizens. If we allow the industry’s influence to dictate our healthcare priorities, we risk denying Ghanaians access to potentially curative treatments in favor of sustaining a system that profits from prolonged illness.

What Ghana must do to move forward

To fully realize the benefits of stem cell therapy, Ghana must take decisive steps to integrate regenerative medicine into its healthcare system. This requires action on multiple fronts:

• Education and awareness – Both medical professionals and the public need greater awareness of what stem cell therapy is, how it works, and what conditions it can treat. Misinformation remains a major barrier, even among doctors.
• Investment in research and infrastructure – Establishing dedicated stem cell research centers will allow Ghana to conduct its own clinical trials, ensuring that therapies are safe and effective for the local population.
• A clear regulatory framework – Government agencies must develop ethical and scientific guidelines that govern stem cell therapy, ensuring patient safety while allowing medical innovation to flourish.
• Public-Private Partnerships – Collaboration between the government, private healthcare providers, and international research institutions can accelerate the development of a sustainable stem cell ecosystem in Ghana.
• Affordable access models – While initial costs may be high, long-term strategies should focus on reducing treatment costs through insurance coverage, public funding, and international partnerships.

Conclusion – a defining moment for Ghana’s healthcare future

The global shift toward regenerative medicine is inevitable. Countries that invest early in stem cell research and therapy will be at the forefront of the next medical revolution, while those that hesitate will lag behind.

Ghana now stands at a pivotal moment. We can either embrace the potential of stem cell therapy, creating a healthier and more self-sufficient medical system, or we can continue relying on expensive, imported pharmaceuticals that manage disease rather than cure it.

The choice is clear. If we are serious about modernizing Ghana’s healthcare system, reducing the burden of chronic diseases, and improving patient outcomes, then stem cell therapy must be part of the conversation. This is not a futuristic fantasy—it is the present and future of medicine. Ghana cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. It is time to act.

BYLINE

Dr. Davies Kofie Adedze is a Medical Director and Leading Consultant at Mary-Lucy Hospital and Fertility Centre. He is a Cellular Medicine Specialist, an Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, Cosmetic Laser Surgeon, and Physician.

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