Liberia faces kidney disease crisis affecting 800,000 people

Experts estimate that at least 800,000 Liberians are living with kidney disease. Medical professionals note that much of the kidney failure in the country is preventable and detectable through simple urine tests, yet many citizens remain unaware of their condition. Some individuals are reportedly damaging their kidneys through the overuse of common painkillers.

Health officials indicate that many diagnosed with kidney failure do not survive due to preventable diseases and insufficient screening. While Liberia’s only public dialysis center at John F. Kennedy Hospital opened in 2022, it is currently unable to meet the high demand for treatment. Patients face significant financial burdens, with some reporting costs of approximately $300 USD per week for dialysis sessions.