Sleep Apnea Crisis in Ghana: Korle Bu Hospital Struggles with Single Machine Amid High Costs and Low Awareness
A 33-year-old woman, described her terrifying ordeal with sleep apnea, a condition that left her unable to speak and requiring oxygen support.
After a misdiagnosis of brain injury, Consultant Pulmonologist Prof. Jane Afriyie-Mensah at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital recommended a sleep test, confirming obstructive sleep apnea—the repeated stopping and starting of breathing during sleep.
Prof. Afriyie-Mensah explained, “During sleep, most people breathe normally, but for those with apnea, patterns become erratic, often noticeable to bedmates through loud snoring or pauses in breathing.” Globally, about one billion people suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, with 90 million in Europe facing moderate to severe cases.
In Ghana, awareness remains low due to limited training for health workers and scarce diagnostic tools, a problem echoed across African developing nations.
A 2024 study by Afriyie-Mensah et al., reviewing 144 sleep studies at Korle Bu from 2020-2022, found 76% of patients had moderate or severe apnea. “Out of four to five weekly tests, three show apnea patterns,” the professor noted.0aa8bf Symptoms include heavy snoring, daytime drowsiness, and in severe cases, sudden awakenings or accidents from falling asleep while driving.
Untreated, sleep apnea raises risks of hypertension, diabetes, strokes, and even sudden death. Prof. Afriyie-Mensah highlighted higher risks for obese individuals, those with chronic illnesses, and long-distance drivers, calling for routine screenings and a national policy to boost awareness.
Treatment via Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines is effective but prohibitively expensive. Korkor paid GH¢17,000 ($1,500) for her portable unit, noting initial discomfort but eventual benefits like uninterrupted sleep and refreshed mornings. However, for many, it’s unaffordable.
At Korle Bu, a JoyNews investigation revealed only one CPAP machine, donated by a private facility. Sessions cost GH¢700, full sleep studies GH¢1,400—far beyond reach for the 76% of Ghanaians living below $6.85 daily, per the 2024 GIZ BoP Report. Private centers charge up to GH¢6,500 per session, plus extras for off-site use, as explained by chest physician Ernest Amaning-Kwarteng.9fa6e1 With just three testing centers in Accra, including Korle Bu’s single machine requiring overnight monitoring, access is severely limited.
Korkor urged greater awareness to save lives, while Prof. Afriyie-Mensah stressed early intervention to prevent complications. The scarcity and costs underscore deep healthcare inequities in Ghana.
