World Kidney Day: The High Cost Of Survival For Ghana’s Kidney Patients

As Ghana joins the world in marking World Kidney Day, the conversation surrounding kidney health has never been more urgent. With dialysis costs skyrocketing and kidney transplants remaining out of reach for many, thousands of patients face an uphill battle for survival. Even those fortunate enough to receive a transplant, like 31-year-old Annan Patience Asabea, continue to struggle under the crushing financial burden of post-surgical care and life-sustaining medication.

In this special report, ABC News delves into the realities of kidney disease in Ghana, highlighting the systemic gaps in treatment accessibility, the growing crisis of affordability, and the desperate calls for government intervention.

Annan Patience Asabea once dreamed of becoming a fashion designer—until a devastating kidney disease diagnosis four years ago altered the course of her life. A life-saving transplant offered her a second chance, but it came with an enormous financial toll. Anti-rejection medication, routine medical check-ups, and lifestyle changes have placed an overwhelming strain on her family.

For many kidney patients like Patience, dialysis is not just expensive—it is nearly impossible to afford consistently. She currently requires two sessions per week, costing GHS 491 per session, a sum she struggles to raise.

“Every dialysis session is a battle. If I don’t have the money, I simply don’t go. And when I miss it, the pain is unbearable—I can’t sleep, I can’t breathe properly. We are pleading with the government to help us,” she lamented.

Her situation reflects a wider crisis in Ghana’s renal healthcare system, where many patients simply cannot afford regular treatment, resulting in deteriorating health and, in most cases, premature death.

According to the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study, chronic kidney disease (CKD) surged from the 27th to the 18th leading cause of death globally between 1990 and 2010, with its growth rate second only to HIV/AIDS. Despite the increasing prevalence of kidney disease, treatment options remain woefully inadequate in Ghana.

A 2023 study led by Dr. Elliot Koranteng Tannor exposed a grim reality:
• Over 90% of Ghanaian kidney failure patients who need dialysis are denied access due to financial constraints.
• Ghana’s dialysis prevalence stands at just 38.8 patients per million people, significantly lower than the 68 per million average in low- and middle-income nations.
• Although 15,400 Ghanaians are estimated to require dialysis, only 1,195 patients—just 7.8% of the actual demand—are receiving it.

Kojo Baffour Ahenkorah, President of the Renal Patients Association of Ghana, emphasized that the struggles of kidney patients go beyond just dialysis.

“There’s more to kidney disease than dialysis. There are medications and injections that patients must take, yet these are not covered by National Health Insurance (NHIS). Even the NHIS support for dialysis is inadequate. We want to engage the Health Minister to discuss long-term solutions,” he stated.

The lack of government subsidies for essential post-transplant medications further compounds the crisis, leaving many patients at risk of organ rejection due to inconsistent medication adherence.

The alarming rise in kidney disease cases has been linked to multiple risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and exposure to toxic pollutants from illegal mining (galamsey).

Healthcare advocate Dr. Samuel Frimpong from the Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana warns that environmental pollution and poor dietary habits are fueling this crisis.

“Galamsey is poisoning our water sources with heavy metals like mercury, which are highly toxic to the kidneys. Coupled with excessive alcohol intake, smoking, and poor dietary choices, we are seeing more cases of kidney disease across the country. Many people only realize they have it when their blood pressure soars, and by then, it’s often too late,” he cautioned.

He further stressed the need for nationwide kidney health education campaigns to encourage early detection and prevention.

Beyond the financial burden, kidney patients often face severe social stigma, with misconceptions surrounding their condition.

Priscilla Kuma, a patient undergoing dialysis, revealed the pain of being ostracized due to her illness.

“I used to be plump, but now I’ve lost so much weight. People assume I have HIV/AIDS and avoid me. When I had a protruding belly due to my condition, others whispered that I was pregnant. The stigma is heartbreaking,” she shared.

Patience’s mother, Mercy Otubea, echoed similar sentiments, pleading for both financial and emotional support for patients battling this life-threatening disease.

With the recent change in government, there is growing anxiety among kidney patients about the fate of the free dialysis initiative introduced last year.

Gladys Ahiakpor, another kidney patient, made a desperate appeal to the new administration.

“We beg the government not to discontinue the free dialysis program. If they take it away, we will die. If there is something called ‘Mahama Care,’ then we plead with the President to come to our aid. We are truly suffering,” she urged.

Globally, over 80% of kidney failure patients receiving treatment reside in wealthier nations with universal healthcare. Meanwhile, Ghana’s overburdened dialysis centers struggle to accommodate even a fraction of those in need.

The stark contrast raises urgent questions:
• Will the government expand NHIS coverage to include kidney medications and dialysis?
• Will the free dialysis initiative continue or be scrapped under the new administration?
• What long-term policies will be introduced to reduce kidney disease prevalence in Ghana?

As World Kidney Day is observed under the theme “Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health,” the stark reality remains: for thousands of Ghanaian kidney patients, this isn’t just about policy—it’s about survival. The time for action is now.

Andy Oppong Dankyi