News
Chronic Kidney Disease surge among youth
Dr Mensah Amoah
Seventy per cent of people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) cases in Ghana are between the ages of 20-50 years, a Physician Specialist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Dr Mensah Amoah has disclosed.
This, he attributed to uncontrolled hypertension and seconded by CKD of uncertain cause.
Dr Amoah mentioned that abusing drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, herbal medicines could cause the disease.
Also, he said underlying health conditions such as urologic diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure and glomerulonephritis could put one at risk of having CKD.
Dr Amoah who is also a Nephrology Fellow at KBTH said this on Tuesday, at a seminar organised by the Level 400 students of the Public Health Nurses’ School in Accra.
The seminar was held on the topic “high rate of kidney diseases, incidence and its implications: a condition of public health concern.”
He said 70 per cent of kidney disease cases were presented at the latter stages, most often at the fourth or fifth stage, adding that majority of the cases of End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) die within the first year after diagnosis due to limited resources to care for such patients.
He said in Ghana, the prevalence rate of CKD at various stages is about 14 to 17 per cent compared to 10 per cent globally, indicating a higher rate than that of the global statistics.
Globally, Dr Amoah said majority of the cases are in the developing countries with limited resources, adding that 850 million people worldwide are living with the disease.
He said the disease kills 2.4 million people globally in a year, making it the sixth fastest growing cause of death worldwide.
Currently, CKD, he said was not curable and its cost of care was high, adding that “it can cause people to need care for the rest of their lives which could lead to emotional and physical distress.”
He said symptoms of the disease include frothy or smoky urine, leg and facial swellings in the mornings and fatigue.
With regard to diagnosis, the Physician Specialist said most facilities have clinicians who can detect kidney diseases and conduct laboratory tests, adding that with treatment, most doctors could administer medications at the early stage to treat and control the risk factors of the disease.
Dr Amoah said the country will risk losing its youth to chronic kidney disease if prevention and early detection and intervention was not a priority.
“For those at the end stage kidney disease who need dialysis, we need to put our hands together as a country to take care of them because the average Ghanaian cannot afford to sustain lifelong dialysis let alone pay for kidney transplantation,” he added.
He called on policy makers to find resources to support about 50 to 70 per cent of treatment to improve and prolong the lifespan of patients.
Dr Amoah also urged Ghanaians to reduce the intake of salt and sugar, consume a lot of fibre, fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight and also avoid alcohol and cigarette.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
