From Uthman Abubakar, in Maiduguri
Rising cases of kidney failure, also known as renal failure, in Borno State has constituted a matter for serious concern to the state government.
Consequently, the government has announced plans to embark on robust advocacy to curb the rise across the state.
The state Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, who expressed this concern, Thursday in Maiduguri, expressed the crucial necessity for communities to be educated on regular blood pressure and sugar checks, healthy diets, and the dangers of self-medication.
Zulum, who was undertaking a visit to Umaru Shehu Hospital in the city as part of activities marking 66 years of Nigeria’s independence, did not, however, quote figures of the cases.
“The government of Borno State will establish a strong institutional mechanism for advocacy,” he disclosed, confirming, “Most cases of renal failure are a result of high blood pressure and diabetes.”
He revealed further: “Some of the outcomes of the research we conducted revealed that the major problem causing kidney diseases had to do with our attitudes and lifestyle.”
Zulum continued: “I can recall that a researcher from the US who is an indigene of Yobe State conducted research, and the outcome revealed that over 90 percent of those having high blood pressure and diabetes don’t even know they have it (renal disease),” adding, “The causes of kidney failure, according to her research, were linked to high blood pressure and diabetes.”
He urged residents to embrace routine medical checks and healthy lifestyles, stressing that preventing kidney failure was cheaper and safer than treating it. END
