Kidney Disease Cases on the Rise in Ghana, Experts Sound Alarm
By Ernest Best Anane, Kumasi
Kidney disease is emerging as a major public health concern in Ghana, with cases increasing alarmingly among both children and adults. Dr. Osei Tutu, Medical Director of Washington Specialist Hospital, attributes the rise to factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, genetic factors, and self-medication.
He expressed concern about environmental factors, citing illegal mining activities (galamsey) leading to water pollution, which poses a risk to kidney health. Dr. Tutu emphasized that kidney disease is largely preventable with early detection and treatment, urging Ghanaians to adopt healthier lifestyles
Miss Loretta Ofori, Administrator at Washington Specialist Hospital, appealed to the government to increase dialysis sessions covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and include kidney medications, citing high costs that discourage patients from seeking care.
