Rising kidney diseases among young people disturbing – Health Minister
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, on Tuesday warned that kidney disease is emerging as a major public health challenge in Ghana, with a growing number of cases being recorded among young and economically productive people.
He said non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including chronic kidney disease, now accounted for about 40 to 45 per cent of mortalities in the country, a trend that demanded stronger prevention, early detection and improved access to treatment.
Speaking at the launch of the 2026 World Kidney Day activities, organised by the Ghana Armed Forces Health Services at Burma Camp in Accra, the Minister said kidney disease often progressed silently until it reached advanced stages, making early screening and public education critical.
The event, held on the theme: “Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet,” brought together policymakers, military leadership, health professionals and other stakeholders to highlight the growing burden of kidney-related illnesses and the need for a coordinated national response.
Mr Akandoh said the disease was largely driven by preventable factors such as hypertension, diabetes, unhealthy diets, misuse of medication, delayed health-seeking behaviour and environmental pollution, including contamination of water bodies through illegal mining and industrial waste.
He explained that the government was strengthening prevention and early detection through primary healthcare reforms, which would encourage routine screening for major NCD risk factors and expand health education at the community level.
The Minister noted that the government’s proposed free primary healthcare policy would place strong emphasis on prevention and early diagnosis, with health workers expected to intensify outreach activities in communities, farms, churches and households to identify risk factors early.
The government was also working to expand access to dialysis services nationwide through partnerships with the private sector, while the newly introduced Ghana Medical Trust Fund initiative (Mahamacares) was expected to provide financial support for the treatment of chronic diseases.
In addition, Mr Akandoh disclosed that the Ministry was finalising an organ transplant bill to establish a legal framework for ethical and safe organ transplants, which he described as a long-term solution for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease.
Mr Ernest Brogya Genfi, the Deputy Minister of Defence, said kidney health was not only a medical concern but also a national development and security issue because the operational readiness of the country’s security services depended largely on the physical fitness of personnel.
The Ministry recognised that a healthy force was essential for national security and urged commanders across the services to prioritise routine medical screening for officers and soldiers.
Mr Genfi commended the leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces, particularly the 37 Military Hospital and the Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care and Emergency Hospital, for championing awareness and early diagnostic initiatives to tackle kidney disease.
Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, Chief of the Naval Staff, also underscored the importance of kidney health to the operational capability of the Armed Forces.
He said the strength of the military depended not only on equipment and strategy but also on the physical and mental fitness of personnel.
The Chief of Naval Staff explained that the kidneys performed critical functions necessary for endurance, stamina and survival, particularly in demanding operational environments where soldiers were exposed to dehydration, extreme conditions and prolonged physical exertion.
The disease often developed without obvious symptoms and could compromise not only the health of personnel but also the operational readiness of the Armed Forces if left undetected.
He, therefore, urged military personnel to prioritise regular medical screening, maintain adequate hydration during operations, and adopt healthy lifestyle habits, including balanced nutrition and physical fitness.
Earlier, a medical specialist from the 37 Military Hospital, Commander (Dr) D.K. Antwi-Gaul, said chronic kidney disease remained largely silent in its early stages and was often detected only after significant damage had occurred.
He noted that in Ghana, approximately one in eight adults was likely to develop chronic kidney disease, while treatment options such as dialysis and kidney transplant remained extremely costly for many families.
Dialysis could cost patients close to GH¢2,000 per week, while a kidney transplant procedure could exceed $30,000, making prevention and early detection the most cost-effective strategy, he said.
Commander Antwi-Gaul, therefore, advised the public to undertake routine health checks, control blood pressure and blood sugar levels, avoid excessive use of painkillers and unregulated herbal medicines, maintain a healthy diet, and protect the environment from pollution.
Environmental contamination, toxic chemicals, and unsafe water sources could significantly increase the risk of kidney disease, reinforcing the link between environmental protection and public health.
The event also served as a platform to call for stronger multi-sector collaboration between the health sector, environmental authorities, security agencies and development partners to address the growing burden of kidney disease in Ghana.
Source: GNA