By Emmanuel Nyatsikor
Adaklu Tsriefe (V/R), March 13, GNA – Madam Lynda Buatsi, the Adaklu District Health Promotion Officer of the Adaklu District Health Directorate Thursday described as superstitious the belief that kidney disease was spiritual.
She stated that the disease was rather a medical condition linked to biological, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
Madam Buatsi stated this at a kidney disease awareness programme organised by the GOSANET Foundation at Adaklu Tsriefe in the Adaklu District to mark World Kidney Day.
The Day was instituted to create a global health awareness campaign focusing on the importance of kidney health and the prevention of kidney related diseases and its associated health problems.
It is celebrated on the second Thursday in March every year.
This year’s celebration was on the theme “Kidney Health for all: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet.”
The Disease Control Officer said although cultural beliefs might influence how illnesses were perceived, kidney diseases were largely associated with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, infections, and unhealthy living standards.
She intimated that the disease often developed silently and might not show any symptoms until the condition became severe.
Madam Buatsi stated that kidneys played a very crucial role in filtering waste from the blood, regulating blood pressure, maintaining fluid balance, and supporting the overall health of the human body.
She mentioned several causes and risk factors of kidney disease including high blood pressure, diabetes, excessive intake of certain medications without prescription, infections, dehydration, high salt intake, alcohol abuse, smoking and family history of kidney disease.
Madam Buatsi said many kidney-related conditions could be prevented if individuals adopted healthier lifestyles and sought regular medical care.
She advised the public to drink adequate amounts of clean water, reduce salt intake, maintain regular physical activity, and monitor blood pressure as well as blood sugar levels.
She also advised them to avoid excessive alcohol consumption and smoking and seek professional medical advice before taking medications and adopt healthy lifestyles to prevent kidney diseases.
The Disease Control Officer urged members of the public to seek prompt medical attention whenever symptoms were noticed and avoid delays caused by misconceptions about the causes of the disease.
Mr Samuel Yao Atidzah, the Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting health promotion and disease prevention programmes in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service and other stakeholders to improve community health in the Adaklu district and beyond
He encouraged the people to take proactive steps towards protecting their kidneys and maintaining healthy lifestyles.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Christabel Addo