By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, May 15, GNA – Patients with kidney failure in Ghana may spend more on dialysis over time than they would on kidney transplants, a medical expert said on Thursday.
Professor Vincent Boima, Head, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Ghana, said although dialysis was widely used, its cost in the long run was huge, placing a heavy burden on patients and their families.
Prof Bioma said this at his inaugural lecture on the topic: “From Genes to Mind: Holistic Pathways to Precision Kidney Care for Africa.”
He explained that while kidney transplant required a large initial cost, it was more cost-effective over time because patients only needed to pay for medication after the procedure.
“With dialysis, patients continue to spend money regularly, but transplant offers a better option in the long term,” he noted.
Prof. Boima said patients who underwent kidney transplants often lived longer and enjoyed a better quality of life compared to those on dialysis.
“Transplant patients have more convenience and satisfaction, and they are able to return to normal life activities,” he added.
The Professor expressed concern over the increasing number of Ghanaians suffering from chronic kidney disease, noting that about 13.3 per cent of the population may be affected.
“This translates to nearly five million people, many of whom are young adults between the ages of 20 and 50 years.”
The disease, he said, was affecting people in their most productive years, reducing their ability to work and support their families.
Prof Boima stressed the need for early diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, which were major causes of kidney disease.
“If we detect these conditions early and manage them well, we can delay or even prevent kidney disease,” he noted, and called on the Government to support kidney transplant services and make them more accessible to patients across the country.
He recommended greater investment in prevention through regular screening and public education to reduce the number of people developing kidney failure.
The inaugural lecture, held at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana, formed part of efforts by academia to address the growing burden of kidney disease in Ghana and across Africa.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe