Health experts are raising fresh concerns about the growing burden of kidney disease in Ghana as the country marks World Kidney Day, with new evidence linking a dangerous herbal concoction to serious organ damage.
Chronic kidney disease is emerging as a major health challenge in Ghana, affecting an estimated 14 to 17 percent of the population, with many patients diagnosed during their most productive years. At the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, more than 400 end-stage kidney patients are admitted every year, while over 1,000 people in Accra currently depend on dialysis for survival.
Medical experts say the increasing cases of kidney disease are linked to several factors, including hypertension, diabetes, misuse of painkillers, environmental toxins, and unregulated herbal medicines.
Crackdown on toxic herbal drink
In the Ashanti Region, authorities have launched a crackdown on a toxic herbal cocktail known as “Sukudai,” which is being marketed as a heart cleanser.
Researchers from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have described the drink as toxic after laboratory analysis revealed that it contains harmful chemicals capable of causing severe damage to vital organs, including the kidneys.
According to the Department of Pharmacology at KNUST, preliminary tests found the drink contains acetone, zinc chloride, and ethanol.
Acetone is commonly used in nail polish removers, while zinc chloride is a corrosive chemical. Both substances are unsafe for human consumption.
Laboratory experiments conducted on rats revealed the severity of the danger. Rats administered low, medium, and high doses of a chemical substance used in this ‘sukudai’ concoction all died within 24 hours, showing signs of distress shortly after ingestion. Researchers also observed that the chemical mixture was able to melt plastic takeaway bowls, highlighting its corrosive nature.
