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The Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology and MP for Sefwi-Wiawso, Hon. Dr. Kwaku Afiriyie, has disclosed that kidney diseases are predominantly caused by the mining activities in communities.
He stated that more reported cases of kidney diseases are linked to mining-related activities.
Speaking to the press after the Health Minister briefed parliament on the state of the renal unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the minister said many kidney diseases are originated from mining areas.
He also revealed, “One thing the government has achieved for companies is the introduction of NHIS, before that, most mining companies operated their own hospitals, where they spent huge amounts of money.”
“I had the opportunity to work as a doctor in Awaso bauxite, where at the time, the hospital was managed by Canadians. So I know how much they spent on their staff; some of their hospitals have been closed down due to the introduction of NHIS because they took the opportunity to register their workers at nearby government hospitals,” he said.
Hon. Dr. Afiriyie called on the government to impose a special levy on the mining sector to address kidney diseases.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com/Nana Kwaku Boffah
