The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof. Fatiu Arogundade, has called on the Federal Government to include kidney care in Nigeria’s primary healthcare programme.
Arogundade, a Professor of Medicine and Nephrology and former Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, made the call on Tuesday while delivering the 430th inaugural lecture series of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The lecture was titled, “The Burden, barriers, bottleneck and breakthroughs in the management of kidney disease in Nigeria: A journey from the grassroots to the frontiers.”
According to Arogundade, chronic kidney disease, CKD, remains a major health burden in Nigeria and affects people during their economically productive years.
He said kidney diseases, particularly CKD, affect about one-fifth of the population, although only one in every 40 people reportedly develops symptoms at any given time.
The medical expert said tackling the problem should begin with improving public knowledge about kidney health.
He recommended that kidney care be incorporated into the primary healthcare system, with early screening for kidney disease beginning from the pre-admission stage for nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
Arogundade also called for stronger public awareness campaigns, screening and treatment for hypertension and diabetes, as well as prompt treatment of infections.
He highlighted the importance of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, HAART, for people living with HIV to help reduce the burden and progression of associated kidney disease.
The professor further advised Nigerians to avoid known risk factors, including smoking, excessive use of analgesics, bleaching creams, unregulated local concoctions and exposure to environmental toxins such as hydrocarbons.
Arogundade described chronic kidney disease as a major public health concern globally and called for a national kidney care policy that would establish coordinated standards for kidney treatment across the country.
He also stressed the need to make life-saving treatments, including dialysis and kidney transplantation, accessible to Nigerians regardless of their income, age, gender or location.
Medical universities and health workforce
PUNCH had earlier reported that Arogundade said the Federal Government was taking steps to address challenges in the health sector, particularly the migration of medical professionals abroad.
He made the comments at a reception held in his honour following his appointment as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta.
Arogundade said the establishment of the new medical universities was part of efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce and address shortages of medical personnel.
The nephrologist also expressed appreciation for the reception, saying he was humbled by the support from senior colleagues, associates and other stakeholders in the medical and academic communities.
Source: PUNCH
