Ghana Marks World Kidney Day

The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital yesterday organised a free screening exercise for the general public as part of activities marking this year's World Kidney Day.

The theme for this year's campaign, 'Keep the pressure down,' is to highlight the fact that high blood pressure is both a risk factor and a symptom of chronic disease.

A consultant nephrologist at the hospital, Dr Charlotte Osafo, who spoke to the media during the exercise, noted that unchecked high blood pressure can severely damage the kidney.

Dr Osafo explained that one main function of the kidney is to filter waste and excess water from the blood and produce urine and noted that when the kidneys are damaged, waste substances that are toxic can build up in the body.

She said, the campaign is also to encourage the public to face up to reality of kidney disease and motivate them to check whether they are at risk or not.

She commended the National Kidney Foundation for its support to help fight kidney disease and its associated risk factors.

She also appealed to non-hypertensive people to have enough rest in order to keep the pressure down and also to non-diabetic people to reduce their intake of sugar.

To keep the kidney healthy, Dr Osafo advised the public to eat balanced diets, reduce their intake of salt, exercise regularly, take blood and urine tests and take their medications regularly.