Kidney diseases: Medics task Nigerians on check-up

Nigerians have been advised to go for periodic medical check-up to stem the rising cases of chronic kidney diseases.
The Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Dr Olatunde Alabi, gave the task in Lokoja on Wednesday while speaking at the 2018 World Kidney Day, organised by the centre.
Alabi said that it had been established that one in every 10 people in the World suffers from the disease, saying that periodic medical check-up can help in stemming the tide.
He warned Nigerians against indiscriminate use of herbal medicines, saying that some herbal medicines can be harmful to the kidney.
He said: “It is not all plants that are good for consumption; some are toxic and injurious to health.
“Whenever you notice any change in your body, kindly rush to a government approved hospital for test and treatment rather than buying concoctions they claimed can cure all diseases.”
According to him, all kidney diseases are silent killers that affect the quality of life of the people.
Alabi said: “All preventive measures should be strictly adhered to in order to reduce the risk of developing the disease.”
The theme of this year’s event is “Women and Kidney diseases’’.
The chief medical director disclosed that women are more susceptible to kidney diseases hence they are the target of this year’s celebration.
He called on husbands to show more interest in the health of their wives, especially during pregnancy.
In a paper presented to mark the day, Dr Grace Ogoke also urged Nigerians to adopt preventive measures and go for regular medical check-up to reduce the scourge of kidney diseases.
According to her, kidney diseases can manifest in humans at any age while treatment can be very expensive.
She called on Nigerians to maintain healthy life styles and avoid consumption of alcohol, junk foods and observe physical exercise regularly to reduce the risk of having the disease.
Ogoke, a consultant obstetric and gynaecologist, said that the theme of this year’s celebration was apt considering the fact that women are more prone to have kidney diseases.
She appealed that all hands must be on the deck to check the menace of kidney diseases.
The Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Dr Mack Femi, had earlier said the focus of this year’s celebration was to create awareness among the people on the need to take preventive measures against the disease.
He warned those already afflicted with the disease to stop taking herbal medicines so as not to hasten their death.