A Consultant Physician and Nephrologist, Dr Ayoola Odeyemi, says collective measures involving patients, healthcare providers and government are required to reduce the burden of kidney morbidity and mortality.
Odeyemi, a Specialist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos in commemoration of World Kidney Day 2024 marked annually on the second Thursday of March.
It is aimed at raising awareness on the importance of the kidney to overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and associated health problems globally.
The 2024 theme is “Kidney Health for All- Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice.”
Odeyemi, who is also the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN), puts the prevalence of kidney diseases in the country at 30 per cent.
According to him, many people are living with undiagnosed kidney diseases, stressing that early detection improves the chances of receiving effective treatment and preventing kidney failure.
Odeyemi noted that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often irreversible, while the acute kidney disease (AKD) may be reversed with treatment if detected early.
He appealed to physicians to have a high index of suspicion to pick kidney disease symptoms in patients and refer them to a nephrologist for prompt treatment.
The nephrologist urged the government to evolve appropriate legislation to ensure affordable care, noting that most kidney patients pay for treatment out-of-pocket.
Odeyemi also appealed for the integration of comprehensive kidney care in the National Health Insurance Act, lamenting that kidney dialysis was not adequately catered for.
“The health insurance made provision for only six sessions of kidney dialysis per year for each patient, whereas most patients with kidney failure or end-stage renal disease require four to five sessions per week.
“Each dialysis session costs about N50, 000, which is a huge financial burden for kidney patients,” he said.
Odeyemi also urged health management organisations (HMOs) to embrace renal care in their service.
“Nigerian Association of Nephrology is appealing to well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of kidney patients because there’s a lot of needless deaths,” he told NAN.
He noted that many CKD patients in Nigeria die within three to six months of procuring dialysis, compared to advanced countries where the survival could be over 20 years.
Odeyemi also called for sustainable funding for kidney care, including transplant at the federal and state level.
He noted that NAN was advocating for relative donors as against commercialisation of the kidney for transplant, adding that it was unethical and exploitative.
According to him, the association is working in collaboration with the government on appropriate legislations and regulation for kidney transplant.
He advised kidney patients to visit LASUTH for transplant, noting that the hospital was equipped with the latest technology and has recorded successes in kidney transplant.
On the financial cost of kidney transplant and investigation in the country, Odeyemi disclosed that it ranges between N16 million to N20 million at health facilities.
He added that the cost of medication post-surgery in the first year cost about four to five million naira, noting that the cost reduces after the first year.
Odeyemi emphasised that the best hope for reducing the human and economic costs of kidney disease lies in prevention, thus called for intensive awareness and education at the community level.
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He advised people to embrace a healthy lifestyle, control their blood pressure and sugar level, refrain from overuse of painkillers, eat healthy diets with minimal salt, sugar and fat, among others.
According to Odeyemi, there are about 35 to 40 nephrologists in Lagos State, while some states have two, warning that the number of specialists is grossly inadequate to manage the increasing burden of kidney disease among citizens. (NAN)
