A physician specialist, Brigadier General Adokwei-Myers, has disclosed that the 37 Military Hospital records at least 30 new kidney patients every month.
Speaking at a World Kidney Day event organized by the 37 military hospital dialysis in Accra, Brigadier General Adokwei-Myers attributed the surge in kidney cases to the high treatment costs.
“The financial burden of kidney disease is staggering,” General Adokwei-Myers said. “Patients requiring dialysis face monthly expenses of up to 6,000 cedis, making treatment a challenge, especially for those with limited financial resources.” he said.
General Adokwei-Myers said there was a need for early diagnosis and treatment, noting that many patients are diagnosed only when their condition has advanced.
He indicated that the cost of dialysis was high, involving not only machine costs but also lab investigations and expensive medications.
General Adokwei-Myers warned that the situation calls for urgent attention and action to address the rising cases of chronic kidney disease and the associated treatment costs.
He pointed out that the use of herbal medications was another factor exacerbating the situation.
He stated that it is now common to encounter at least one case of chronic kidney during emergency duties, a trend that was not prevalent in the past.
Story By: Emmanuel Coffie