Kidney Diseases On The Increase

Dialysis sessions are on the increase in the country. - The Renal Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for instance, recorded 1.937 dialysis sessions in 2011 alone, an incredible increase from 206 sessions, in 2010. Health experts say the increase is as a result of the increasing cases of kidney diseases in the country. According to Dr. Amoako Atta, Head of the Renal Unit of the KATH, �the country is recording a surge in kidney cases, as a result of the lifestyle changes of Ghanaians, most of whom have resorted to the consumption of fatty foods, abuse of herbal concoctions and aphrodisiac�. He stated that the activities of illegal miners who use mercury, a harmful chemical, was also a contributory factor to kidney diseases. Dr. Atta said Ghanaians should cultivate the habit of exercising and going for routine medical check-ups, at least twice a year. He stressed that people should seek medical advice before they take in herbal medicine and aphrodisiacs which could lead to hypertension, resulting in kidney diseases. He cautioned that people suffering from puffy face, swollen feet and skin rashes should immediately seek medical car as they could be signs of kidney diseases. Dr. Atta stated this when the Ashanti Regional Secretariat of the National Service Scheme donated GH�1,627 cash to a national service person who has been diagnosed of advanced kidney disease. The service person is currently on hemodialysis to sustain his life. Medical doctors say, the way forward is kidney transplant and a voluntary donor and an amount of �50,000 is needed for the process. Mr. Kwasi Quainoo, the Ashanti Regional Director of the National Service Scheme, made the donation on behalf of the service personnel and appealed to the general public to come to the aid of the patient. The mother of the patient, Akosua Boatemaa, expressed her appreciation for the gesture to save her son and appealed to corporate bodies to support his son survive.