Dr. Mensah Amoah, a Physician Specialist and Nephrology Fellow, has raised alarm over the growing burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Ghana, revealing that about 13 percent of the adult population, an estimated four million people, are living with the condition, many without being aware of it.
According to him, the disease is increasingly becoming a major public health concern, largely because most cases in the country are detected only when the kidneys have already suffered significant damage.
He explained that, unlike many developed countries where kidney disease is diagnosed early, most patients in Ghana report to health facilities at the final stage of the illness, known as Stage Five or kidney failure. At that point, the kidneys have completely failed, and the only available treatment options are dialysis or kidney transplantation.
These treatments, he stated, are extremely expensive and remain largely inaccessible for many Ghanaians. He further noted that a worrying number of those affected fall within the 20-50 age group, the most economically productive segment of the population.
Dr. Amoah described chronic kidney disease as a “silent disease” because it often shows little or no symptoms in its early stages, causing many people to believe they are healthy until the condition becomes severe.
“At that stage, the kidneys have completely failed, and the only options are dialysis or kidney transplant, which are extremely expensive and not readily accessible for most Ghanaians,” Dr. Amoah said in an Interview with GNA on Friday, March 13.
Despite the challenges, he emphasised that early detection could significantly slow or even prevent the progression of the disease. He explained that simple medications used to control conditions such as hypertension and diabetes can help delay kidney damage when the disease is diagnosed early.
He therefore encouraged routine health screening, particularly annual urinalysis and kidney function tests, as effective tools for early detection. According to him, a urine test can reveal warning signs, such as protein or blood in the urine, which may indicate underlying kidney damage.
Dr. Amoah noted that urinalysis is widely available in many health facilities and is covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme, making it an accessible screening option for the public.
He also cautioned that individuals living with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, HIV, hepatitis B, kidney stones, or cancer face a higher risk of developing kidney disease and should monitor their kidney health more frequently.
The specialist stressed that lifestyle choices also play a key role in preventing the condition. He advised reducing salt intake, eating balanced diets rich in vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in regular physical activity.
Foods such as canned products, salted fish, corned beef, sausages, and other processed items, he said, contain high levels of salt that can increase blood pressure, one of the leading causes of kidney disease.
He further recommended regular physical exercise, including brisk walking, jogging, or gym workouts for 30 to 60 minutes three to five times a week, to reduce the risk of hypertension and diabetes.
Dr. Amoah also warned against the excessive use of certain painkillers and unregulated herbal medicines, noting that some medications can reduce blood flow to the kidneys over time, while certain herbal preparations may contain substances harmful to the kidneys.
Dr. Amoah therefore urged the public to seek medical advice before regularly using herbal products and to adopt healthier dietary habits. While acknowledging that healthy foods can sometimes be more expensive, he encouraged people to choose whole fruits instead of processed juices, which often contain high sugar levels and little fibre.
Kidney disease is primarily caused by chronic conditions that damage the kidneys over time, most commonly diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension). Other major causes include autoimmune diseases (like lupus), genetic disorders (such as polycystic kidney disease), chronic infections, kidney stones, and long-term use of medications like NSAIDS.
