Ghana’s health system is facing a rapidly growing public health crisis as chronic kidney disease silently affects millions of adults. Dr Mensah Amoah, a Physician Specialist and Nephrology Fellow, has revealed that about thirteen percent of the adult population, roughly four million people, are living with the condition. Many of them are unaware of their status until the disease reaches an advanced and often irreversible stage.

Chronic kidney disease, often described as the silent disease, produces few or no symptoms in its early stages. Most adult patients in Ghana only seek medical attention after significant kidney damage has occurred. By the time they present at health facilities, they are often at Stage Five or kidney failure, where the only available treatment options are dialysis or kidney transplantation. These interventions are extremely expensive and largely inaccessible for the majority of Ghanaians.

Dr Amoah said the disease is increasingly becoming a major public health concern. He explained that, unlike in developed countries where kidney disease is often detected early, most adult patients in Ghana seek care only when the kidneys have completely failed. He also warned that a worrying number of those affected are between the ages of twenty and fifty, the country’s most economically productive segment of the population.

Silent but Deadly

“Chronic kidney disease is a silent disease. People often believe they are healthy until the condition becomes severe. At that stage the kidneys have completely failed and the only options are dialysis or kidney transplant, which are extremely expensive and not readily accessible for most Ghanaians,” Dr Amoah told GNA on Friday, March thirteen.

Despite these challenges, he emphasized that early detection could significantly slow or even prevent disease progression. Medications to control conditions such as hypertension and diabetes can delay kidney damage when the disease is diagnosed early.

Dr Amoah encouraged routine health screenings, particularly annual urinalysis and kidney function tests, as effective tools for early detection. A urine test can reveal warning signs such as protein or blood in the urine, which may indicate underlying kidney damage. Urinalysis is widely available in many health facilities and is covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme, making it accessible for the public.

High Risk Groups

The specialist noted that adults living with hypertension, diabetes, HIV, hepatitis B, kidney stones, or cancer face a higher risk of developing kidney disease and should monitor their kidney health more frequently.

He also stressed that lifestyle choices play a key role in preventing the condition. Dr Amoah advised reducing salt intake, eating balanced diets rich in vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in regular physical activity. Foods such as canned products, salted fish, corned beef, sausages, and other processed items contain high levels of salt, which can increase blood pressure, one of the leading causes of kidney disease.

Regular physical exercise, including brisk walking, jogging, or gym workouts for thirty to sixty minutes three to five times a week, can reduce the risk of hypertension and diabetes.

Dr Amoah further warned against the excessive use of certain painkillers and unregulated herbal medicines. Some medications can reduce blood flow to the kidneys over time, while certain herbal preparations may contain substances harmful to kidney health. He urged the public to seek medical advice before regularly using herbal products and to adopt healthier dietary habits. While acknowledging that healthy foods can sometimes be more expensive, he encouraged adults to choose whole fruits instead of processed juices, which often contain high sugar levels and little fiber.