President of the Renal Patients Association of Ghana, Mr. Baffour Kojo Ahenkorah, has said kidney diseases have become so common in recent times. He bemoaned that the condition has become so common, like malaria. He disclosed in an interview that Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital alone records not less than three cases every single day. “> The situation he posited was alarming, and efforts must be adopted in dealing with the situation considering how expensive it has become in treating kidney problems in Ghana. Mr. Kojo Ahenkorah said those on dialysis need between GHC 500 and GHC 1,200 cedis per session. He said those on dialysis require three sessions per week to ensure they stay stronger. The majority of renal patients he noted do two sessions per week due to their inability to pay for the three sessions. “Kidney diseases have now become common, like malaria, and this is a serious concern. The galamsay activities are also contributing to the increase in kidney-related cases. Korle-Bu records not less than three to four cases every day. It is a major concern we have to tackle as a country.” He went on to state that aside from the dialysis required for renal patients, they are required to take Epoetin injections, which are used to treat anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. The cost for the injection, he said, is GHC 200, and patients are required to take one injection every week or two weeks depending on their financial strength. This brings the cost to about GHC 1,200 per session for dialysis.
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