A Paediatric Nephrologist and Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Sampson Antwi, is calling for stronger health systems and increased investment in specialised care to reduce deaths from kidney diseases among children.
He stressed that improving early diagnosis, expanding paediatric nephrology services, and increasing government support could significantly improve survival rates for children living with kidney conditions.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, Prof. Antwi said he has been involved in international research focused on improving kidney care in low-resource settings, where access to treatment remains a major challenge.
He explained that many children in developing countries are unable to access essential treatments such as dialysis and kidney transplantation due to limited facilities, high costs, and a shortage of specialists.
According to him, these gaps often result in late presentation of cases, with many children only brought to hospitals when their conditions have worsened significantly.
Prof. Antwi urged parents to prioritise routine medical check-ups for early detection of health problems, particularly kidney-related diseases, to improve treatment outcomes.
He also cautioned against unhealthy dietary habits, especially excessive salt consumption and overuse of artificial seasonings, noting that these contribute to hypertension, a major risk factor for kidney failure and other complications.
He further encouraged regular blood pressure checks, highlighting that screening services are widely available at pharmacies at little or no cost.
The KNUST lecturer called on government to establish more specialised kidney treatment centres equipped with modern technology and staffed by trained professionals to improve access to care nationwide.
He emphasised that sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure and specialist training is essential to addressing the growing burden of kidney diseases and improving child health outcomes.
