The release, signed by Dr. Robert Yeboah, Senior Technical Advisor for Non-Communicable Diseases at PATH Ghana, stressed that CKD remained a growing public health concern, with an estimated national prevalence of 13.3 per cent, while awareness levels remain low. 

It said the condition often developed without noticeable symptoms and was frequently diagnosed at advanced stages, increasing the risk of kidney failure, complications, and premature mortality. 

The statement emphasised the importance of routine screening at the primary healthcare level, especially among people living with hypertension and Type 2 diabetes, to facilitate early diagnosis and reduce long-term healthcare costs. 

It highlighted efforts under the Healthy Heart Africa (HHA) programme, an initiative of AstraZeneca, implemented in partnership with PATH, the Ministry of Health Ghana, and the Ghana Health Service. 

According to the release, Ghana is the first among nine African countries to implement the expanded scope of the programme, which focuses on strengthening prevention, early detection, and management of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. 

It noted that the programme, working in collaboration with the Ghana Kidney Association, is promoting quality service delivery, public awareness, healthy lifestyles, and increased demand for early care. 

In 2025, the release said, more than 28,000 patients with hypertension and Type 2 diabetes were screened for CKD in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions under the initiative. 

The statement reiterated the need to prioritise high-risk populations for routine kidney health checks through primary care services, describing early detection as one of the most effective ways to reduce the burden of CKD and other non-communicable diseases. 

It called for sustained public education and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to integrate kidney care into primary healthcare delivery and ensure equitable access to preventive services across the country.