Galamsey pollution driving rise in kidney disease – Radiologists Association

The Ghana Association of Radiologists has urged the government to intensify efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that pollution from mining activities is contributing to a growing burden of kidney disease in the country.

The Association said the indiscriminate use of mercury and cyanide in illegal artisanal mining was contaminating major water bodies and exposing communities to toxic substances capable of damaging the kidneys and other organs.

Speaking at the opening of the 14th Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) of the Association in Accra, Dr Francis Ofei, President of GAR, described the situation as a public health emergency.

“Permit me to underscore the devastating contribution of illegal artisanal mining, popularly known as galamsey, to the rising tide of kidney disease in our country,” he said.

“The indiscriminate use of mercury and cyanide in artisanal gold mining operations has resulted in catastrophic contamination of our water bodies, and by extension, the water that millions of Ghanaians depend on.

“This situation is not merely an environmental issue. It is a public health catastrophe,” Dr Ofei stressed.

A recent Ghana News Agency report, citing Dr Mensah Amoah, a Physician Specialist and Nephrology Fellow, indicated that about 13 per cent of Ghana’s adult population, an estimated four million people, are living with chronic kidney disease. The report noted that many patients were between the ages of 20 and 50, the country’s most economically productive age group.

Dr Ofei said the burden of kidney disease was particularly severe in communities exposed to risk factors such as illegal mining activities.

He identified rivers including the Pra, Birim, Ankobra and Offin as among the water bodies heavily polluted by galamsey operations.

He explained that mercury and cyanide entered the body through contaminated water and food, placing excessive strain on the kidneys, which filter waste products from the bloodstream.

“With repeated exposure, the kidneys give up eventually,” he said.

The conference, held on the theme: “From Kidneys to Urethra: Imaging the Genitourinary System in the Era of Multidisciplinary Care,” brought together radiologists, nephrologists, urologists, clinicians,, and other healthcare professionals to discuss advances in medical imaging and collaborative patient care.

Dr Ofei said chronic kidney disease often developed silently, making early diagnosis critical, but noted that many patients sought medical attention only after the disease had progressed to advanced stages.

He attributed the late reporting to low public awareness and limited access to diagnostic services in some parts of the country.

The GAR President advised the public to undergo regular medical check-ups and avoid ignoring unusual symptoms.

“You do check-ups not because you have issues per se. It becomes routine,” he said.

Dr Ofei also called for increased investment in diagnostic imaging equipment, including ultrasound machines, CT scans and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, to improve early detection and treatment of diseases.

He said ultrasound remained the most accessible imaging tool for diagnosing kidney and urinary tract conditions before patients were referred for more advanced scans where necessary.

Dr Ofei further stressed the importance of collaboration among radiologists, clinicians, nephrologists and urologists in improving healthcare delivery.

“We have realised that most of the time, healthcare delivery is done in silos. The clinician is doing their own thing, the radiologist is also doing their own thing. I think that it is time for us to now resort to what we call a multidisciplinary approach when it comes to healthcare,” he said.

“Gone are the days when the radiologist wrote a report and figuratively handed it over a wall. Today, radiologists sit at the table.”

Source: GNA