How to reduce burden of chronic kidney diseases in Nigeria, by experts

Medical expert and founder, Strong Tower Health Services, Dr. Sylvanus Achu, has said that hypertension and diabetes are the major risk factors of Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD).

He also said that careless lifestyles such as too much alcohol intake and drug abuse are fueling the scourge.

Achu noted that the majority of the populace cannot afford dialysis, hence the need for government intervention.

He said: “Dialysis is a very expensive venture. We are looking for a way to work for the government to make it more affordable. We are looking for subsidies. We have been contacting government agencies. However, if we work with the government such that we have a certain discount, maybe a tax discount, then we can channel those resources to those who cannot afford it.”

The expert harped on the need of making the technology more available so that more people will have care and eventually the price will come down and more people will be able to afford it. “The issue of demand and supply when more people are given care the price goes down, that is how the market works,” he added.

The Strong Tower Health Services boss further said that high blood pressure messes up the organs, could cause stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure.

Speaking at the Opening of Strong Towers Dialysis centre, Achu said that most of the dialysis centres in Nigeria have shut down due to a lack of up to date technology.

He said: “We come here because we believe we have to bring back home the good things that we see abroad. We want to build America into Nigeria, the standard of practice, care, we want to treat people here the same way we treat them back to America. “We have experts in dialysis who have joined us from other centres across the country, bringing their experience. The only thing is that we have oriented them to the use of these are modern machine.”

Achu advised the public on the need to always monitor their blood pressure because prevention is important in avoiding kidney failure.