General News of Sunday, 14 April 2019

Source: Kwabena Danso-Dapaah

Millions die of Kidney conditions annually - Ghana Kidney Association

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Estimated of Eight Hundred and Fifty (850) million people have kidney disease from various conditions contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality globally, according to statistics from the Ghana Kidney Association (GKA)

Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD), which is the 6th fastest growing cause of death caused at least 2.4 million deaths per year.

This was made known ahead of the 2019 World Kidney Day held in Central Regional capital Cape Coast and attended by this reporter, Kwabena Danso-Dapaah.

According to statistics, Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), an important driver of CKD, affects over 13 million people worldwide and 85% of these cases are found in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

"Around 1.7 people are estimated to die annually because of AKI", due to the growing burden of kidney disease, kidney health disparity and inequity across the globe.

"CKD and AKI often arise from the social conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age including poverty, gender discrimination, lack of education, occupational hazards and pollution among others".

The celebration was under "Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere" which drew persons from all walks life to the University of Cape Coast, campus.