Stakeholders have advocated for the formulation of a policy framework on non-communicable diseases, with a focus on kidney disease in Ghana.

The Head of the Internal Medicine Department of the Ho Teaching Hospital, Prof Awuku Asante Yaw, wants the framework to ensure proper access to healthcare services for chronic patients and a well-thought out emergency preparedness plan.

Prof Asante Yaw was speaking at a stakeholder's engagement on Kidney disease in the Volta Regional capital of Ho.

kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that filter the blood, removing wastes and extra water to make urine.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, smoking, obesity, family history of kidney disease, older age, and frequent use of some medications may lead to kidney disease.

When this happens, the kidney fails leading to advanced chronic kidney disease which can cause dangerous levels of fluid, and wastes to build up in your body.

Though it is reported that 1 in 10 Out-Patient Department cases are kidney-related, treatment in Ghana is scarce and expensive.

Against this background, the Ho Teaching Hospital organized a stakeholder workshop to digest and adopt the best approach to dealing with kidney diseases.

Prof Asante Yaw suggested the introduction of a policy framework to enable chronic patients receive the best of care, by ensuring there is equitable and proper emergency measures.

“Government should include emergency preparedness plan in the management and detection of non-commutable disease and favour the prevention of these conditions”, he said.

He also entreated patients to plan for emergencies by acquiring emergency kits which would include food, water, medical supplies, and records.

The Ho Teaching Hospital Director of Health Services, Dr. Lord Mensah, assured of his outfit’s preparedness to deliver the best of care to chronic kidney patients.

He called for periodic screening for the disease to ensure early treatment, to prevent the disease from advancing to a chronic stage.

The Queen of Ho Dome, Mama Atrato, appealed to stakeholders to act as ambassadors, educate people in their vicinity and make them aware of chronic kidney diseases, its causes and treatment.