Editorial
Control blood pressure, high sugar level to prevent kidney disease
The Spectator published a report last week titled “Chronic Kidney Disease surge among the youth,” which disclosed that 70 per cent of people with Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) cases in Ghana are between the ages of 20 and 50.
The high incidence of kidney diseases among middle-aged workers raises severe public health concerns, and the nation runs the risk of losing its young to (CKD) if action is not taken.
According to reports, 800 million people worldwide are afflicted with the disease, which kills 2.4 million people yearly, making it the sixth fastest growing cause of mortality worldwide.
Sadly, most of the cases are reported to occur in underdeveloped nations with low resources.
These alarming statistics highlight the need for preventative measures to be implemented in order to prevent the disease, which shows symptoms like itchy skin, cramping in the muscles, foamy urine, fatigue and weakness, swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet, increased or decreased urination, and unexplained weight loss, among others.
We are informed that when these symptoms appear, the illness has progressed to an irreversible level, and patients may require dialysis or a kidney transplant if their kidney function has been severely compromised.
Also, the disease may be caused by unchecked hypertension, drug abuse (including ibuprofen and diclofenac), and herbal remedies, among other things.
The worrying part is that having CKD, no matter how minor, puts a person at risk for more significant issues like cardiovascular disease, which is a set of illnesses that affect the heart and blood arteries and includes heart attacks and strokes.
Medical experts state that diabetes is the primary cause of kidney disease, and that those with the condition should monitor their sugar intake.
They describe CKD as a progressive and irreversible decline in kidney function that occurs over months or years without any noticeable symptoms.
The Spectator is concerned about the issue and believes that setting early detection, intervention, and prevention as top priorities will provide the solution. After a diagnosis, in that case, it is imperative to manage it by reducing salt intake, losing weight, exercising regularly, and adhering to a balanced diet to prevent it from getting worse.
In order to lower their blood pressure, patients with high blood pressure must also modify their lifestyle, take medication, eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, drink enough water, sleep for seven to eight hours every night, abstain from smoking, and consume alcohol in moderation.
To lessen the financial burden that comes with kidney diseases, the government actually needs to act pragmatically and set up an insurance programme for dialysis sufferers.
We also urge every individual to be health consciousn in order to avoid contracting the disease, as the expense of treating a patient undergoing renal dialysis is high and beyond the means of most families.
With CKD, there is no known cure; medication can only assist manage the disease’s symptoms and prevent it from growing worse.
Let us be health conscious to prevent kidney disease.
Editorial
Demolition of structures at flower pot interchange a good move
Dear Editor,
I will like to commend the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Titus Glover for the bold step to destroy structures, including wooden tables and chairs set up by hawkers at the flower pot interchange which was recently commissioned by President Akufo-Addo.
Most of the hawkers and sellers expressed their displeasure about the action of the minister, while some have argued that the government has failed to get them a place to sell as promised.
Though they may have a point of not having a place to sell, I don’t think such an excuse should be the reason for them to be selling at the place.
We all remember the joy the commissioning of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange Overpass by former President John Dramani Mahama brought. The project looked so beautiful, especially in the night, when the lights illuminated the entire place.
Today, the story is different. The place look so dirty with hawkers, physically challenged people and drug addicts turning every space into their humble abode.
Some even go to the extent of taking their bath there. Anytime I pass by the place to the Circle lorry station, the stench from urine that emanates makes me feel sad.
With this, I think it is about time city managers, including the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, take drastic steps in ensuring that hawkers and sellers at unauthorised places are evacuated.
What I have also come to realise is that officials of the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, feel relaxed to take the necessary action in evacuating these hawkers from the unauthorised places.
We need to start going hard at some of these hawkers and vendors who sell at unauthorised places. We need to keep the capital city clean at all times.
It is in this vein that I congratulate the regional minister for taking the bold initiative of demolishing the structures at the flower pot interchange.
While I commend him, I will also urge the government to try as much as possible to find a place for them to sell their wares.
As citizens, we also need to change our attitude to ensure that the city is kept clean and neat.
Ella Akimbi,
Spintex
Editorial
End hawking on Kaneshie Foot Bridge
Dear Editor,
Hawking on the Kaneshie foot bridge has made it increasingly difficult for commuters that use the facility on daily basis.
Foot bridges are constructed to ensure the safety of pedestrians, accessibility to places, among others.
However, using the Kaneshie foot bridge has become so frustrating due to the activities of traders who sell on it. Most of them sell on either side of the bridge, leaving only a narrow space for users.
Worse of all, these traders rather get annoyed when some users of the foot bridge mistakenly step on any of the items on display and rain insults on them.
On one such occasion, I had to get into an argument with one of the traders when she insulted me for mistakenly stepping on one of the items she was selling.
Ghanaians, adore and admire countries in Europe and even North Africa for how well some of these things are structured. A few people who have stayed in those countries would tell you that these don’t happen in advanced countries.
However, the situation in Ghana is rather the opposite, and that can baffle sometimes.
I believe we need a total change of attitude. Citizens must be forced to do what is right.
The law enforcement agencies at the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies should also make sure that these traders who have taken over the Kaneshie foot bridge are moved to allow some sanity on the facility.
Osei Banahene,
Mataheko
