Diabetes, Kidney Disease, and High BP Patients Can Give Any Party Electoral Victory

As Ghana gears up for the impending elections, political strategies are taking center stage. One particular group that could be pivotal in deciding the outcome is the growing number of Ghanaians living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and high blood pressure (BP). These conditions, once associated primarily with aging, now affect a significant number of young people as well, making this demographic a crucial voting group.

The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease in Ghana has skyrocketed in recent years, largely due to a combination of aging, poor dietary habits, and increasing sedentary lifestyles.

According to recent health surveys, about 6% of Ghanaians suffer from diabetes, while a staggering 30-40% of adults over 18 are living with hypertension. Kidney disease, closely linked with both diabetes and high blood pressure, has also become a serious concern. A 2023 study estimates that 10-12% of the population may be suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a large portion unaware of their condition.

These numbers indicate to a large extent that there is at least one person in almost every household living with one of these diseases. As chronic illnesses are a part of many families' daily struggles, any candidate who focuses on healthcare reform, particularly targeting these conditions, could gain considerable electoral support.

Ghana’s voter population is composed primarily of young and middle-aged adults. Based on data from the Electoral Commission of Ghana, over 50% of registered voters fall between the ages of 18 and 40. However, it is also important to note that people aged 40 and above, who represent a significant proportion of the population affected by chronic diseases, account for a growing segment of the voter base. Many of these individuals are dealing with age related health concerns, particularly high blood pressure and diabetes, which often lead to kidney complications.

Given that aging is a major risk factor for these conditions, a significant proportion of Ghana’s middle-aged and older voters are directly impacted by them. Furthermore, as younger people are increasingly being diagnosed with these diseases due to lifestyle changes, the number of affected voters is much higher than expected.

To secure the support of these crucial potential king makers , politicians need to sell to voters or implement policies tailored to address their healthcare needs. These policies should aim to improve access to medication and treatment,lowering the cost of insulin, antihypertensive drugs, and dialysis treatment. Many Ghanaians are unable to afford these treatments, which leads to severe complications and even premature death.

Establishing nationwide screening programs because early detection programs for diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease can help prevent the progression of these diseases. Nationwide screenings should be prioritized, particularly in rural areas where healthcare access is limited.

There should be policies to provide subsidized dialysis services with dialysis treatment costing up to about GHS 500 per session, many kidney disease patients cannot afford the life-saving treatments they need. A subsidized or free dialysis program could be a game-changer for this demographic.

And as you may already know, establishing more specialized health centers that provide comprehensive care for chronic diseases will be a great intervention. This should include more dialysis centers and hypertension clinics in regions that currently lack adequate healthcare facilities.

Politicians aiming for victory in the upcoming elections should recognize that chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease affect a large and growing portion of the population. In almost every home, there is at least one person living with one or more of these conditions. As more young people are diagnosed with these ailments, the voter base becomes increasingly shaped by the healthcare needs of those affected.

This may have come late but like the saying goes,it is better late than never.They need to focuse campaigns on healthcare reform, particularly for these chronic conditions.

Any politician smart enough to tailor their policies toward this demographic could sway a significant portion of the electorate. Such policies not only address a national crisis but could very well secure an electoral victory by showing compassion and foresight.Moreover, the electorates have evolved into very discerning ones and will be able to see through any politician who is only trying to use such a policy as a gimmick to win votes.Politicians must be deliberate,responsible and accountable for what they campaign about.

Long Live Mother Ghana.
By Dumenu Charles Selorm