Nigerians would, on March 13, join the global health community to mark this year’s World Kidney Day (WKD). It is an annual event, accompanied by public awareness activities aimed at promoting kidney health and good lifestyles.
It is estimated that over 15 million Nigerians suffer from kidney diseases, despite national and international efforts to tackle kidney related diseases.
Health experts say Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is on the increase in the country, due to high rate of high blood pressure, diabetes, herbal concoctions, sedentary lifestyle, drug abuse and poor health services. Some of the symptoms include weakness, anaemia, swelling and vomiting.
This year’s theme is tagged, “Chronic Kidney Failure and Ageing’’ and it will focus on factors and conditions that exacerbate the debilitating disease.
The event is a global exercise, established seven years ago, to seek solutions to kidney failure and related ailments. lt also promotes fund raising activities to ameliorate the high cost of treatment, maintenance dialysis and kidney transplant.
Most renal units of tertiary health institutions, across the country, it was learnt, will feature free health screenings.
Lagos State will have various kidney awareness campaigns, including road shows, media events, counselling and seminars.
Highlights of these were disclosed in interviews with Lagos-based nephrologists including Toyin Amira of Lagos University Teaching Hospital(LUTH), Idi-Araba; Theophilus Umezudike of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital(LASUTH), Ikeja; Ebun Bamgboye of St. Nicholas Hospital; and Alagbe of Life Support Medical Centre,Ikeja.
Some patients who spoke on conditions of anonymity expressed worry over high cost of treatment, while calling on federal and state governments to collaborate with the private sector to ameliorate the situation. According to them, this year’s Kidney Day should not be another annual jamboree but a well-articulated event to improve the lives of sufferers and Nigerians in general.
Odinaka Anudu
