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A nephrologist at the Renal and Dialysis Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Vincent Boima, has expressed concern over the increasing rate of kidney disease among young people in Ghana and other African countries.

Although he did not give statistics, he said the increased incidence of kidney disease among the 25-50 age group, who constitute the workforce, was alarming.

Dr Boima, therefore, urged individuals, corporate bodies and the government to go to the aid of kidney patients, so that they could receive dialysis or kidney transplant.

He was speaking with the Daily Graphic yesterday after the St Mary’s Old Girls Association (SMOGA) had donated a cheque for GH¢15,000 towards the treatment of Ms Abigail Denkyi, a 19-year-old kidney patient. 

The money is to cater for dialysis for the girl while she awaits the screening of a donor to undergo a kidney transplant

Ms Denkyi is a Form Two Arts student of the St Mary’s Senior High School. The Daily Graphic carried the story of her health status and the support she needed to undergo treatment. 

Causes

Dr Boima said it had not yet been proved medically whether heart disease, diabetes or environmental reasons were the causes of kidney infection among young people.

It was reported in 2014 that there were more than 8,000 renal failure patients in Ghana. 

Out of the number, less than 600 were said to be receiving serious treatment because of the high cost and the lack of requisite equipment.

In an attempt to increase accessibility to renal centres, the Ministry of Health indicated its resolve to establish dialysis centres in some selected areas in the country.

A urology centre was also scheduled to be established at Korle-Bu to pave way for kidney transplants and other complex renal surgeries in Ghana.

Dr Boima said the young people affected by the kidney disease constituted the workforce of the country, which called for a concerted effort to support them.

SMOGA

A member of SMOGA, Ms Cherie Lawson, told the Daily Graphic that the association would keep on contributing towards Ms Denkyi’s dialysis.