At the launch of the hospital’s Dialysis Support Scheme to commemorate the World Kidney Day in Lagos, the Doctor in Charge, Healing Stripes Hospital, Dr. Ezinne Onyemere disclosed that though the scheme has been running inwardly for three years now, but the need to present it to the public has arisen because there is a goal to subsidise dialysis sessions for 100 patients every week.
Onyemere who disclosed that the hospital has subsidised 2,024 dialysis session for kidney patients and given 534 free other sessions over the last three years with the assistance of few well meaning Nigerians and the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) City of David Parish, noted that the scheme was not only to appeal for patient support, but to also assist them to save up for their transplants.
“The scheme is in two parts, as donors can choose to adopt a patient and pay for their dialysis session or support with any amount that would be spread across for all patients,” she added.
Onyemere also maintained that the scheme, which is focused on “operation keeping hope alive” would also make the general public appreciate the burden of chronic disease and it might be a caution to people, for “prevention is better than cure.”
According to her, with reference to statistics on the disease, half of the about 14 per cent of people living with the disease in Nigeria are not aware, hence they present with late stages which makes it more expensive. “This shows there is an awareness gap that needs to be bridged.”
On the theme for this year’s World Kidney Day celebration, “The Relationship Between Obesity and Kidney Disease,” a dietician nutritionist, Mrs. Patience Chimah observed that if people are not cautious, lots of Nigerians would come up with kidney failure in the next five years owing to ignorance and bad habits such as alcoholism, smoking, not exercising, eating wrong among other predisposing factors.
Chimah who proffered some solutions for prevention of kidney disease and others chronic illnesses remarked that, people should endeavor to screen and exercise regularly, as well as keep healthy lifestyles.
