In response to the increasing prevalence of kidney disease among children in Ghana, health experts are urging parents to take proactive steps in safeguarding their children’s health. This call was made during the 2025 World Kidney Day celebration on March 13, under the theme:
“Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health.”
World Kidney Day, observed globally, aims to raise awareness about kidney health and reduce the impact of kidney-related diseases. In Ghana, the urgency of this issue is heightened as many cases remain undiagnosed until the disease has reached an advanced stage.
Dr. Robert Yeboah, Programs Director for Health Heart Africa PATH, highlighted the increasing concern of kidney disease in children. Speaking at a sensitization event for Senior High School students in Kumasi, organized in collaboration with Kidney Health International and the Ghana Kidney Association, he attributed the rising cases to unhealthy lifestyles.
“Kidney disease in children is a growing concern in Ghana, with the major causes linked to improper healthy lifestyles,” Dr. Yeboah emphasized. He stressed the need for parental vigilance, particularly regarding children’s diets. “Parents must pay serious attention to their wards’ lifestyles, especially the kind of diet given to them,” he warned, cautioning against excessive consumption of carbonated and caffeinated drinks due to their negative effects on kidney function.
Dr. Akua Bakoma Agyeman, a pediatric nephrologist at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, reinforced the importance of early detection. “A child’s lifestyle plays a key role in maintaining healthy kidneys, and therefore parents have a crucial role. Early reporting of kidney-related diseases helps to prevent severe cases,” she stated. She advised parents to monitor warning signs such as swollen feet and changes in urine output and facial appearance.
The sensitization program, part of the Healthy Heart Africa initiative, underscored the necessity of balanced diets, regular exercise, and reduced screen time to combat kidney disease.
With kidney disease posing a significant public health threat in Ghana, health professionals are urging parents to embrace the 2025 World Kidney Day theme: “Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health.” The time to act is now.
SOURCE- GBCNews
