A Consultant Nephrologist with Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Abuja, Dr. Ade Faponle, has called for cheaper dialysis for Nigerians with Chronic Kidney Diseases.
Faponle made the call in a Webinar presentation at the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Resident Doctors, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital on Wednesday in Ilorin.
His presentation was entitled: ‘Kidney Protection: Evolving and Emerging Threats -Call to Action’.
According to him, dialysis is the process by which waste products and excess water are filtered from the body.
But the physician observed that many indigent Nigerians could not access proper healthcare and the necessary dialysis required to manage CKD.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a session of haemodialysis in Nigeria costs between N35,000 and as high as N75,000.
Faponle described CKD, also known as chronic renal disease as a condition characterised by a gradual loss of kidney function over time.
According to him, in the end stage of renal disease, the kidneys function at less than 15 per cent of their normal capacity, hence this individual will require renal replacement therapy.
He added that dialysis ideally should be done three to four times per week, adding that this might be difficult to achieve because dialysis was an expensive procedure.
He observed that most Nigerian patients made out-of-pocket payments, which made it unaffordable and unsustainable.
Faponle pointed out that more centres on CKD should be created in Nigeria as the country was already faced with an increase in the high burden of the disease.
He hinted at the new dimension of the researches on the management of CKD including Xenotransplantation.
The expert explained this is a novel idea of how genetically altered pigs could help kidney transplantation.
He warned Nigerians against using mercury-containing creams and herbs which could potentially damage the kidney.
“Heat strokes put one at risk of dehydration and higher temperature can pose danger to the kidney.
“There is a need to consume lots of fluids and avoid heat strokes,” he said.
He also advises on the consumption of vegetables, keeping normal blood pressure, and avoiding diabetes by keeping a normal body weight.
(NAN)
