Key Points
- Kidney disease cases are rising, especially among young people aged 20 to 45.
- Excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and herbal medicine use contribute to the crisis.
- The Ghanaian government has launched a free dialysis program to ease the financial burden.
Health experts in Ghana are raising concerns over the increasing number of kidney disease cases, particularly among young people aged 20 to 45. They are urging more advocacy, public education, and early detection efforts to prevent the condition from worsening.
Growing cases among young people
Thomas Cann, a kidney patient who has been on dialysis for over a decade, highlighted the alarming rise in kidney failure cases.
According to him, hospitals across Ghana record an average of six to seven new cases every month, mainly due to 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 the World Kidney Day celebration on March 13.
This year’s theme, Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health, emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in managing kidney diseases.
Harmful practices contributing to the crisis
Cann identified the abuse of drugs such as tramadol, cocaine, and marijuana as key factors behind the growing kidney disease burden. He warned that many young people are damaging their kidneys without realizing it.
“The rate at which young people are abusing hard drugs is alarming, and it is affecting their kidneys slowly without their knowledge,” he said.
He also cautioned against the use of unregulated herbal medicines, stressing that they can worsen kidney conditions and reduce survival chances.
Government steps in with free dialysis program
In response to the crisis, the Ghanaian government has launched a free dialysis treatment program under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
The initiative, which began on December 1, 2024, aims to ease the financial burden on patients.
Former NHIA Chief Executive Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye announced that the government has committed between GH¢20 million and GH¢57 million to support the program. It covers treatment costs in 40 accredited health facilities across the country.
Hospitals that benefited from an initial funding phase include:
- 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 emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring the program succeeds. He also warned hospitals against imposing illegal charges on patients.
Call for increased awareness
Despite government intervention, health experts insist that education and early screenings are crucial in addressing kidney disease. Public health campaigns must emphasize prevention, regular check-ups, and healthy lifestyles to curb the growing crisis.
