2,709 Kidney Cases Recorded in January Alone – Asante Mampong Gov’t Hospital and KATH

Asante Mampong, Ashanti Region -*The Asante Mampong Government Hospital and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have recorded a total of 2,709 kidney-related cases in the month of January alone, raising fresh concerns about the rising burden of kidney disease in the region.

This was disclosed by Dr. Mike Amofa Dankwa during the Jingle Health Walk organized by Jingle FM 90.9 at Asante Mampong over the weekend.

Speaking on kidney health during the health walk, Dr. Dankwa described the figure as alarming and called for urgent public education on the prevention and early detection of kidney disease.

He noted that many Ghanaians are unknowingly living with kidney conditions until it reaches an advanced stage due to lack of information and poor health-seeking behaviour.

Educating participants on the causes, symptoms and prevention of the disease, Dr. Dankwa explained that some of the major causes are uncontrolled high blood pressure and diabetes, excessive use of painkillers and unprescribed herbal mixtures, low water intake and excessive alcohol intake, as well as untreated urinary tract infections and kidney stones.

He mentioned that symptoms of kidney disease include swelling of the feet, face and hands, changes in urine such as foamy, bloody or reduced urine, persistent fatigue, nausea and loss of appetite, shortness of breath and difficulty in sleeping.

On prevention, Dr. Dankwa advised residents to drink enough water daily, reduce salt intake, check their blood pressure and sugar levels regularly, avoid self-medication and abuse of herbal concoctions, and go for regular medical screening to ensure early detection.

He commended Jingle FM 90.9 for using the health walk platform to promote public health awareness and urged other media houses to continue partnering with health professionals to educate the public.

The Jingle Health Walk brought together scores of residents, health workers and fitness enthusiasts at Asante Mampong to promote healthy living and physical activity.