The Nigeria Association of Nephrology (NAN) has revealed that about 20 million Nigerians are presently living with chronic kidney diseases.
They also said over 10 per cent of Nigerians
live with kidney diseases.
The body made the disclosure at the palace of
the Sultan of Sokoto and President General Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic
Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, during a visit to confer an award on him.
He was also appointed as the patron of the
body.
The National President of the association,
Professor Adenze Asinobi, while decrying the huge cost of treating kidney
ailments, described the figure as too alarming when the cost of treatment is
considered.
“Moreover, it is a big burden considering the
number of people living in rural areas, and who have no access to medical
facilities for kidney disease treatment.
“We have the capacity and personnel for the
treatment of kidney diseases but we are limited because of the fund factors,”
she said.
Prof. Asinobi pointed out that their visit to
the sultan was not only for the award conferment but to seek his blessings as
the association struggles to fight kidney diseases across the country.
In his welcome speech, Sultan Abubakar tasked
the association to sustain preventive advocacy about kidney diseases in the
country.
The Sultan said the cost of treating kidney
diseases in Nigeria is so high, noting that most people cannot afford it.
He said, “We should all think of subsidising
so our brothers and sisters can be able to manage the cost of treating kidney
diseases.
“You as medical personnel need to enhance
more dedication toward advocating the preventive measures, not on annual bases,
but with constant commitment.
“I am confident that sustainable advocacy on
the preventive measures will give more opportunity toward safeguarding our
people and minimising the increase in the number of patients with kidney
disease,” he said.
The sultan, who decried the high cost of
treating infections in the country, called on the government to support
patients with kidney diseases.
He pledged to work with the association to
achieve its desired goals, even as he commended them for the recognition and
award.
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