Medical officials at the Bank Hospital in Accra have revealed the worrying phenomenon of kidney disease among young people.
According to them, the number of young people contracting the disease is rising.
Speaking at the launch of an ultra-modern renal centre at the facility, a senior doctor at the Hospital, Dr Charlotte Osafo, cautioned the public to take preventative steps.
“The main thing that makes people get kidney disease in Ghana – the first thing is hypertension. A lot of people have hypertension, but they don’t control hypertension.
"So, it is important that if you are diagnosed, you also have to do certain things like reducing your salt intake, reducing your weight, regular exercise and eating healthily.
“All those are important, not only for hypertensive patients but also for people with diabetes, because diabetes is also one of the causes of kidney failure.
"Infections are also one of the causes. If you go to the hospital and they say you’ve got an infection of the kidney, and they give you medications, you have to take it,” she urged.
Speaking at the same event, the Presidential advisor on health, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, disclosed government’s plans to institute an insurance system to cater for patients undergoing dialysis.
He explained that the insurance system would also help ease the financial burden of persons with kidney diseases.
“The cost of treating one patient on renal dialysis for a year is about GH¢50,700, and I’m sure most families cannot afford that amount for one patient alone; it’s huge, and it’s out of the reach of people.
“So, we also want to set up a renal fund or insurance system that will care for renal cases,” he said.
He further revealed government’s intention to pass a law to regulate the donation of kidneys to patients who may have to undergo a kidney transplant.
“But before we do that, we have to put a legislation in place to back kidney transplant so that people don’t just catch people on the street and remove their kidneys to sell,” he noted.
Latest Stories
-
Ejisu by-election: Why would I bribe election officials in public? – asks Kingsley Nyarko
31 mins -
Vinicius scores twice as Real Madrid draw against Bayern in Germany
37 mins -
I’m doing well – Amerado assures fans after stage mishap
1 hour -
EC asks police to start criminal investigation into Ejisu by-election ‘white envelope’ bribery allegation
2 hours -
LPG Marketers Association kicks against NPA’s $80 per metric ton levy on LPG
3 hours -
We need a comprehensive review of Ghana’s financial regulations – Dr Alhassan Andani
3 hours -
Court dismisses injunction against NBA for approving registration of 14 new GM crops
3 hours -
Penalty for companies not filing returns increased to GH¢1k from May 1
4 hours -
Ejisu By-Election: Results so far
4 hours -
Ejisu By-Election: And the winner is…
4 hours -
Dumsor: Businesses could collapse if situation is not resolved – Ghali
4 hours -
Ejisu by-election: NPP will do everything possible to win – Kingsley Nyarko
5 hours -
‘White envelope’ incident was unfortunate – Political Science lecturer
5 hours -
NPP will always win Ejisu elections – Paul Yandoh
5 hours -
Manhyia Palace Museum comes alive in May by showcasing restored Asante treasures
5 hours