Kumasi: There is a growing concern about the increasing rate of kidney diseases in Ghana, with 13 out of every 100 people believed to have some form of kidney disease. This translates to about four million of the over 30 million Ghanaians living with kidney diseases, a situation that requires urgent attention from all stakeholders.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Elliot Koranteng Tannor, a Consultant Nephrologist at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), has disclosed that people in Ghana are developing kidney diseases at younger ages. Speaking at a public lecture in Kumasi to commemorate World Kidney Day, Dr. Tannor revealed that the average age of people with kidney failures on dialysis is about 46 years.
The public lecture was organized by the Ghana Kidney Association in collaboration with PATH Ghana. The theme for this year's celebration, 'Are Your Kidneys Ok? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health,' emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention to prevent kidney disease.
Dr. Tannor, who is also a Senior Lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), pointed out that major conditions driving kidney diseases, including hypertension and diabetes, are on the rise. He expressed concern over the abuse of herbal medications and painkillers, which can adversely affect kidney health.
He advised the public to seek medical attention before symptoms appear, highlighting the danger of undiagnosed kidney disease. Dr. Tannor warned that kidney disease could remain asymptomatic for years, making regular health checks crucial.
In the Ashanti Region, a study by KATH indicated that the kidney disease burden has quadrupled over the last decade. Approximately 70 percent of patients with kidney-related conditions at the facility are either on the verge of or already experiencing kidney failure. Many of these patients die during admission, according to the data.
Dr. Tannor reiterated that early detection allows for better risk factor management, preventing disease progression and saving lives. Late diagnosis leaves patients with costly options like dialysis or transplantation.
Dr. Robert Yeboah, Programme Director of the Healthy Heart Africa Programme at PATH Ghana, emphasized that the theme also addresses low awareness of chronic kidney disease worldwide, particularly among high-risk populations. Chronic kidney disease affects about 850 million people globally, and if undetected and untreated, it can lead to severe complications and premature mortality. By 2040, it is projected to become the 5th leading cause of years of life lost, with less than 10 percent of those affected aware of their condition.
Despite its significant burden, chronic kidney disease remains under-prioritized on global and national health agendas, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat it.