The Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN) says 11 per cent of Nigerians are suffering from kidney related disease.

The Nephrologists made this known at a news conference after the end of the association’s 4-day Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference on Tuesday in Maiduguri.

Worried over the sad development, the association met in Maiduguri to provide workable solutions toward tackling the problem in the country.

The National President of the Association, Prof. Jacob Awobusuyi, who expressed concern over the increasing cases of kidney disease, said one out of 10 Nigerians was affected or infected with the disease.

He said the conference, comprising doctors, nurses, medical health workers, traditional rulers, and others who specialised in managing patients with various forms of Kidney disease had succeeded in providing a platform in which rich scientific exchange, practical training, and policy dialogue could be explored.

Awobusuyi said that the Platform was expected to provide innovative approaches to dialysis and transplantation, preventive nephrology, community-based screening, task-shifting, and sustainable financing models.

The conference theme was “Kidney Health in a Resource-Limited Environment.”

He said the conference was timely because it gave them the opportunity to collective shared experiences as professionals.

“Chronic Kidney Disease in Women”, the National President highlights a critical
and often under-recognised public health concern, whereby Women face unique biological, social, and economic challenges that affect their access to kidney care, adding that, Pregnancy-related kidney disorders, autoimmune diseases, delayed presentation, and financial dependency contribute to poorer outcomes.

“By focusing on this issue, we
reaffirm our commitment to gender-sensitive, equitable, and
Inclusive renal healthcare.

“This conference has provided
a platform for rich scientific exchange, practical training, and policy dialogue.

We have examined innovative approaches to dialysis and transplantation, preventive nephrology, community-based screening, task-shifting, and sustainable financing models.

“We had also explored how digital health solutions, partnerships, and local innovations can expand
access to renal services,” Awobusuyi said.

Also speaking, the Chairman Local Organising Committee of the Conference, who is the Director of the Kidney Centre at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Prof. Ibrahim Ummate, thanked Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno for providing an enabling environment for the successful and fruitful conference.

He said that the major causes of kidney disease were people with High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), Diabetics, habitual use of herbal or traditional medicine and consuming over-the-counter drugs, women using bleaching creams, spraying Insecticides and Pesticides on agricultural products such as beans, vegetables, among other consumables.

He, therefore, cautioned people with such habits or characteristics to be careful not to be infected with the disease.(NAN)