The Nigerian Society of Nephrology (NAN) advocates the development of a national kidney care policy. Such documents help standardize the treatment of Nigerians with kidney disease.
The call was made by Professor Fatiu Allogandade, President of the Body, at the 34th NAN Press Conference in Ibomb Hall Uyo, Acwai Bomb on Monday.
Again, the association requires that the National Health Insurance System (NHIS) include chronic long-term renal care, as such patients cannot afford to pay if they do not include the disease at this level. Many lives have been lost. ..
Nigerian health care at a three-day conference on “preventive nephrology”, as government votes for health care fall below World Health Organization (WHO) standards, leading to poor health care facilities that cannot provide optimal services. Was observed to support medical tourism. To the patient.
The association has appealed to the government to subsidize the treatment of citizens’ kidney disease, as is done in several other countries.
“As of today, unlike what is happening in other countries, there is little or no government involvement in kidney treatment. Indeed, chronic (long-term) kidney care is not included in NHIS. The situation is that people who develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) are supposed to pay for kidney treatment themselves, and as a result, many of them die within a few weeks of their diagnosis.
“There are few private and public hospitals with facilities for kidney transplants, but patients have to pay all invoices and only a small percentage of Nigerians.
“Only about 1 percent of our end-stage kidney disease (ESRD) patients benefit from kidney transplants.
“As a way to move forward, we need a national kidney care policy that standardizes what is done for Nigerians with kidney disease and a government grant for kidney care for her citizens operating elsewhere. is.”
He also appealed for the inclusion of renal care, especially CKD, in the scope of NHIS to reduce the financial burden on patients. The organization further suggested that imports of consumables needed for kidney care should be exempt from pending import duties if those consumables could be produced in their own country.
He said he was concerned that CKD would also affect young Nigerians between the ages of 25 and 50. This is an economically productive population that requires government attention.
Professors of nephrology say that congenital abnormalities of the kidneys and urinary tract are the main causes of kidney disease, especially in children, and such children if congenital abnormalities and urinary tract are identified early. He added that it would prevent the consequences of renal failure.
“I’m also worried about the fact that chronic kidney disease is poorly recognized and poorly diagnosed. Most patients see an already advanced stage nephrologist, and treatment options are very high at this stage. It is expensive and out of the reach of most Nigerians.
“Therefore, this terrible scenario now focuses on the prevention and early detection of chronic kidney disease, which informed the theme of this conference, which is preventive nephrology,” he said. rice field.
He said it would stop the rise in the incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease and slow its progression. Pregnant women should have good prenatal care and children should have good health care.
He encouraged Nigerians to avoid excessive weight gain, obesity for adults and children, avoid excessive salt, bleaching creams and soaps, and to have a healthy diet with regular exercise.
The highlight of the association’s 34th meeting is to award 10 fellows (FNANs) to its 10 members.
