Thomas Cann is a kidney patient
Health experts are raising concerns over the rising number of kidney disease cases among young Ghanaians, urging stakeholders to commit more resources to public awareness and early detection efforts.
Thomas Cann, a kidney patient who has been on dialysis for over a decade, has sounded the alarm over the increasing prevalence of kidney disease among individuals aged 20 to 45.
According to him, hospitals across the country record an average of six to seven new cases each month, a trend he attributes to avoidable lifestyle choices.
“Cases of kidney failure among young people keep increasing daily due to excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and other harmful activities, which can be prevented,” Cann told GhanaWeb during an interview on the sidelines of the World Kidney Day celebration.
This year’s World Kidney Day, observed on March 13, is themed “Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health.”
The theme highlights the critical role of early detection and intervention in preventing and managing kidney diseases.
Cann also pointed to the misuse of unprescribed drugs such as tramadol, cocaine, and marijuana—as major contributors to the growing number of cases.
“The rate at which young people are abusing hard drugs lately is alarming, and it is affecting their kidneys slowly without their knowledge,” he warned.
He further advised the public to avoid relying on traditional herbal medicines for kidney treatment, stressing that they pose significant health risks and could reduce the chances of survival for affected patients.
Meanwhile, in a major healthcare initiative, the government, through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has launched a free dialysis treatment program for all renal disease patients, effective December 1, 2024.
Former NHIA Chief Executive, Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, announced the program at a press conference in Accra on November 26, 2024.
He also revealed that the government has committed between GH¢20 million and GH¢57 million to fund the initiative, which aims to reduce the financial burden of dialysis treatment.
As part of the program, 40 credentialed health facilities across the country have been designated to provide financial risk protection for dialysis patients.
Before the public announcement, Dr. Aboagye engaged with the heads of these facilities to prepare them for implementation and warned against illegal charges or extortion of patients.
During a pilot phase, the NHIA disbursed over GHC 1.5 million to several hospitals for dialysis treatments. The beneficiary hospitals included:
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH)
Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH)
Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital (ENRH)
Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH)
Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH)
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH)
Dr. Aboagye emphasised that the full implementation of the program demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations.
With kidney disease cases rising and the youth disproportionately affected, health experts continue to advocate for increased awareness, regular screenings, and proactive health measures to curb the growing crisis.
VA/MA
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