Practitioners in the health sciences want government to take concrete actions to stop the activities of illegal and unlicensed traditional medicine practitioners whose activities they say are contributing to the rise in chronic kidney cases.
According to them, in trying to seek help, patients diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes are deceived by these traditional medical practitioners and end up worsening the conditions of patients.
Currently, more than 12,000 kidney cases are recorded annually in Ghana, a situation the health scientists say is worrying and requires immediate attention.
These came to light at the 3rd Biennial Scientific Conference of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana.
The use of alternative herbal medicine has seen a speedy growth in Ghana in the last few years.
This is because many believe orthodox medicines have side effects and may not have answers to all health problems.
Most patients now find solace in alternative remedies such as herbal medicine which are perceived not to have side effects, and considered natural.
However, the influx of suspicious herbal medicines on the market which claim to cure a wide range of diseases have raised eyebrows as the composition of most of these medicines are shrouded in secrecy.
Despite efforts by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to halt the activities of producers of illegal herbal medicine manufacturers, some recalcitrant ones still persist and end up damaging vital organs of unsuspecting patients.
Health Scientists say the rise in hypertension, diabetes and chronic kidney cases can be linked to the abuse of unapproved herbal medicines sold on the market.
Deputy General Manager of Entrance Pharmaceuticals and Research Center Evelyn Biriwaa Offei called for strict regulatory measures to bring unlicensed herbal medicine practitioners under control.
Provost of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Professor Patrick Ayeh Kumi said 12,000 cases of kidney failure are reported in Ghana annually and this is worrying.
The three day Biennial Scientific Conference will be discussing the relationship between genetics, hypertension, diabetes and herbal remedies in dealing with Kidney diseases.
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