12,000 Ghanaians diagnosed with kidney problems annually – Medical Director

An average of 12,000 kidney failure cases are detected among Ghanaian patients every year, the Medical Director at the Ghana Police Hospital, DCOP Dr Iddi Musah, has disclosed.

Across the globe, 10 percent of the population is affected by preventable yet deadly kidney diseases. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) was ranked 18th in the list of causes of total number of deaths worldwide according to the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study. The degree of movement up the list was second only to that for HIV and AIDS.

At an event organized by the Ghana Police Hospital Dialysis Centre to mark World Kidney Day, DCOP Dr Iddi Musah indicated that the situation in Ghana was no different.

He reiterated that the country is faced with an alarming increase of the preventable yet deadly kidney disease with almost half the number losing their lives.

“The situation is no different in Ghana as an average of over 12,000 diagnosed kidney patients are recorded per year – a third of these losing their lives needlessly, he said.

DCOP Musah however used the occasion which coincides with which coincides with International women’s Day to highlight the effects the disease is having on women in the country. He noted that majority of affected patients are women hence, the theme for this year’s commemoration; “Kidneys and Women’s Health” to advocate for women’s health as a major concern.

“Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem with adverse outcomes of kidney failure and premature death. CKD affects approximately 195 million women worldwide and it is currently the 8th leading cause of death in women, with close to 600,000 deaths each year. he risk of developing CKD is at least as high in women as in men, and may even be higher. According to some studies, CKD is more likely to develop in women compared with men, with an average 14% prevalence in women and 12% in men”, information per findings by the Ghana Police Hospital Dialysis Center indicated.

The recorded number of women on dialysis however is on the lower side compared to men.

DCOP Musah stated that the huge number of kidney cases could be reduced if public awareness is increased to promote early detection and treatment.