Presidential aide seeks interrogation of Nigeria’s high kidney dialysis burden

Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, has sought interrogation of the high kidney dialysis burden in Nigeria.

According to her, efforts should be intensified towards prevention and health promotion, as well as alleviation of sufferings of victims.

She spoke yesterday in Abuja, while the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints was handing over modern hemodialysis machines and other medical equipment worth over $5 million to the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, Prof Saad Ahmed.

The presidential aide noted that though the Federal Government had invested so much in recent years in infrastructure and modern medical equipment, especially during the COVID pandemic, affordability of dialysis is still beyond the ordinary Nigerian.

Anas assured Nigerians that government would continue to collaborate with religious institutions and the private sector to build capacities and improve the health system and humanitarian services.

She appealed for more donations and supplies.

Her words: “This donation could not have been more timely. With the increasing global burden, especially in Nigeria, we are still trying to investigate the reason behind the high burden of kidney problems in Nigeria. In fact, there is no part of Nigeria that is not affected by it and the cost of management of kidney problems is beyond what the poor man and woman can afford.”

“This donation will increase access and also affordability to patients, besides serving as a means of training for health care providers like doctors, nurses, midwives and others, including non-technical staff. It will also serve for research purposes. This will surely bring succur to patients with renal diseases, especially in the face of daunting task in obtaining definitive renal transplant. We are all aware how Nigerians travel abroad.”

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Adebiyi Olufunsho, urged religious leaders to revamp its hospitals to improve the country’s healthcare system.

He recalled that in the time past, missionary hospitals were one of the largest institutions in the country, adding that restructuring would reduce the burden on public hospitals.

Olufunsho called on wealthy Nigerians to come to the aid of the nation’s health centres.

In his remarks, President, West Africa Area, of the church, Elder Gifford Nielsen, said religious body has been involved in humanitarian services in Nigeria, adding that it has donated $27 million to various projects throughout the country.

He said: “Over the course of the last few years, the church has developed a special relationship with the Federal Ministry of Health as part of our humanitarian efforts.

“During this time, we have donated $27 million to various projects throughout Nigeria.

“These projects include collaboration with the Nigerian Eye Foundation, Paediatric Association of Nigeria and World Health Organisation. We are expecting to donate an additional $3.5 million in 2023.”