Thomas Cann has been battling kidney disease for 10 years
Kidney patients have called on the government to train more nephrologists to ensure that access to healthcare services among dialysis patients become enhanced to efficiently aid their treatment.
They noted that there is the need for both nurses, doctors and technicians posted to various districts to get patients at remote areas also treated at ease, without them having to go through stress and pressure.
“We are proposing that government trains more nephrologists, both nurses and doctors and also have more technicians so that more dialysis centres can be established in the various districts to make treatment more accessible to patients,” he said.
Thomas Cann, a kidney patient of ten years, made the comment in an interview with GhanaWeb on the sidelines of the World Kidney Day celebration to create awareness on the disease and its related issues.
The 2025 celebration is on the theme: ”Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health,” which highlights the potentially life-changing impact of early detection and intervention in preventing and managing kidney diseases.
He commended the government for the free dialysis policy by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) but called for more help to get reduction on medication that are not covered by the scheme.
“The free dialysis policy by the NHIS that begun last year has really helped to ease the burden, but we still ask for more help to get reduction in medications and labs which are not covered by the NHIS,” he added.
Cann appealed for more dialysis machines at health facilities, adding that “The dialysis machines are inadequate and because of that, patients spend long hours in the hospital to receive treatment.“
He expressed worry over the inadequate dialysis centres across the country, which forces patients to travel long distances, which many times worsens patients’ situations.
“Because the dialysis centers are not many, people have to travel long distances before they can get the service, a situation which is very worrying.
“I believe with the announcement by the new government to roll out the Mahama care policy, some of these challenges would be addressed to help persons who battle such chronic-like kidney diseases,” he noted.
Cann added that they support the Mahama Cares initiative and believe it is in the right direction to help persons with chronic diseases, while stressing that there should efforts by the government and stakeholders to curb illegal mining, which is one of the causes of kidney disease.
He stated that the government should strengthen institutions like the Food and Drugs Authority and the Ghana Standards Authority to check food and drugs sold on the market so that people do not consume chemicals that will end them with kidney and other chronic diseases.
VA/AE
Meanwhile, watch as Otumfuo urges government to cancel or review Free SHS if students cannot be fed or accommodated
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