ACCRA, Ghana – Renal units at Ghana’s major teaching hospitals are experiencing significant strain as the number of patients requiring urgent dialysis increases. Facilities such as Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital report weekly admissions of individuals in need of life-saving treatment. According to the World Kidney Day 2026 Impact Report, kidney disease represents a growing global health concern, currently affecting an estimated 850 million individuals worldwide and contributing to between 5 and 11 million deaths annually. Projections indicate that, if current trends continue, kidney disease could become the fifth leading cause of death globally in the near future.
While common non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes remain the primary drivers of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the country, public health data highlights an alarming secondary culprit: the consumption of untested, unregulated traditional herbal preparations.
Public health data challenge the common perception that all natural remedies are safe. Analysis of recent trends indicates that the label ‘natural’ does not guarantee safety.
The African Toll: What the Data Shows
The trend observed in Ghana’s wards reflects a broader continental challenge. According to Dr. Elliot K. Tannor, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Ghana is roughly 13% of the adult population, which translates to about four million of the over 30 million Ghanaians living with kidney diseases. This national prevalence is heavily tied to hypertension, diabetes, and various environmental factors. More pressingly, epidemiologists and nephrologists across sub-Saharan Africa note that traditional herbal remedies are linked to an estimated 30% to 35% of all documented cases of acute kidney injury (AKI) across the continent. These acute cases are directly attributed to toxic herbal ingestions and backyard remedies. Furthermore, the demographic data show that this crisis peaks among individuals aged 40 to 49, strikingly affecting the economically active younger population.
In contrast to patterns observed in high-income countries, kidney failure in Ghana disproportionately affects younger, economically active individuals. The loss of income from affected individuals can have significant socioeconomic consequences for their families.
The Path from Plant to Poison
The mechanism by which herbal preparations can cause kidney failure involves the kidneys’ filtration function. Human kidneys process approximately 200 quarts of fluid each day to remove waste products from the bloodstream.
Toxic chemical compounds found in unregulated herbal preparations can enter the bloodstream and reach the kidneys, where they may cause damage to renal tissue.
The Dialysis Dilemma
The cost of long-term dialysis for patients with kidney failure resulting from toxic herbal exposures is substantial, often amounting to thousands of Ghana Cedis per month. This expense is not affordable for most citizens. Besides, there are only a few dialysis centers in Ghana, so those in rural areas and regions without them travel long distances for treatment. Transportation costs, coupled with poor road conditions, also prevent people from seeking treatment.
Nephrology departments admit hundreds of end-stage kidney patients each year, placing continuous demand on dialysis centers. A significant proportion of these cases could be prevented by reducing reliance on unverified herbal remedies and favoring evidence-based medical care.
The Public Health Solution
Public health education strategies should focus on implementing practical measures and structural accountability to reduce the risk of kidney disease in Ghana.
- Media Accountability: Mainstream media and social media networks must face stricter enforcement regarding the advertising of unverified herbal cures that promise to dissolve “kidney stones” or cure chronic ailments overnight.
- Explicit Warning Labels: Registered and unregistered traditional medicines alike need clear labeling protocols detailing risks, similar to the health warnings placed on tobacco or alcohol products.
- Mandatory Disclosures: Patients should inform their healthcare providers if they are using herbal preparations. This allows clinicians to monitor kidney function and address potential risks.
Next Week
The next report will address how to identify unlicensed medical practitioners and provide a checklist to help consumers make informed healthcare decisions. “Credentials vs. Charisma: How to Identify Unlicensed Medical Practitioners.”
By Michael Abisa
May 25, 2026
The author is a Public Health Expert with a Master of Public Health, a Master of Health Informatics, and a Doctorate in Data Analytics.
The following report outlines the logistical and financial challenges faced by local teaching hospitals due to the increasing number of end-stage renal cases.
Korle Bu Battles Rising End-Stage Kidney Disease Cases
This broadcast examines the current dialysis crisis at Ghana’s leading healthcare institution and underscores the importance of prevention and effective regulation of herbal medicines.
