Over 3 million risk kidney disease globally – Dr. Olajide Idris
By Chris Onuoha
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olajide Idris has raised an alarm that over 3 million people are at risk of contacting kidney diseases in the world today. He said that the disease is caused by the indulgence in harmful foods and unhealthy life style. He disclosed this during the inauguration of Sword of Victory Kidney Foundation held at Navy Town business arena, in Lagos.
The Commissioner, who was represented by Dr. Ismaila Abdulsalam, said the disease which, its only treatment is by dialysis and transplant, can also be prevented by adopting a healthy life style. “There are 3 million people at risk of contacting kidney disease worldwide. The essence of inaugurating this kidney foundation today is to raise awareness on the importance of the kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and the impact of kidney diseases and associated problems,” Idris said.
He also said that, “About 90 percent of this number is waiting for kidney transplant, yet only 2500 patients are carried out each year. 3000 people die every year while living in dialysis while 300 people die while waiting for transplant. Kidney disease kills and currently the only treatment to the disease is through dialysis and transplant or conservative care.”
Idris also mentioned that Kidney disease is common and harmful but can be treated. He said that the disease is developed through bad eating habits and lifestyles common to man. He said early detection is very essential before it escalates to dangerous stage. He advised that public awareness for health check and early detection could reduce the frequency at which kidney disease and other related cases spread.
Meanwhile, Dr. Idris disclosed that the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has successfully carried out its first kidney transplant 2 weeks ago and that the patient is doing very well. He commended the founder of the Sword of Victory Kidney Foundation, Pastor Ikechi Ameachi for establishing such an outreach that will avail the public the opportunity for early detection of symptoms for better treatment.
In his remark, Pastor Ikechi Ameachi, founder, Sword of Victory Kidney Foundation said the foundation was established to give opportunities to patients who fly abroad to seek medical treatments about kidney diseases. “The initiative was borne out of necessity to put an end to Nigerians embarking on frequent medical tour abroad for kidney disease and related cases. The foundation was established as an intervention to prevent the killer disease spreading further.”
“It is a partnership initiative with an Indian hospital that treats kidney cases with herbal medicine. Here, we diagnose patients to ascertain the level of the case and dispense medicines which are herbal drugs from India,” he said.
According to Ikechi, “Our yearly target is to sponsor six kidney patients, selected from each of the six geo-political zones of the country, for transplant, while five thousand patients shall be given free medicine. We may not be able to realise the foundation’s object judging from the scarce resources available.
As a not-for-profit organisation, we solicit for financial support from the public, and also, office facilities within Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja, to enable patients have direct access to the outreach.”
Dignitaries present at the inauguration are, Lt. Commodore Temitope jejelowo representing Commander, NNS WEY, Nigerian Navy Ojo, Dr. Ismaila Abdulsalam, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Yemisi Ajiyan, LASUTH, Ikeja, Fidelis Onyema, representing the C.E.O, Coscharis group and many others.
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olajide Idris has raised an alarm that over 3 million people are at risk of contacting kidney diseases in the world today. He said that the disease is caused by the indulgence in harmful foods and unhealthy life style. He disclosed this during the inauguration of Sword of Victory Kidney Foundation held at Navy Town business arena, in Lagos.
The Commissioner, who was represented by Dr. Ismaila Abdulsalam, said the disease which, its only treatment is by dialysis and transplant, can also be prevented by adopting a healthy life style. “There are 3 million people at risk of contacting kidney disease worldwide. The essence of inaugurating this kidney foundation today is to raise awareness on the importance of the kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and the impact of kidney diseases and associated problems,” Idris said.
He also said that, “About 90 percent of this number is waiting for kidney transplant, yet only 2500 patients are carried out each year. 3000 people die every year while living in dialysis while 300 people die while waiting for transplant. Kidney disease kills and currently the only treatment to the disease is through dialysis and transplant or conservative care.”
Idris also mentioned that Kidney disease is common and harmful but can be treated. He said that the disease is developed through bad eating habits and lifestyles common to man. He said early detection is very essential before it escalates to dangerous stage. He advised that public awareness for health check and early detection could reduce the frequency at which kidney disease and other related cases spread.
Meanwhile, Dr. Idris disclosed that the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has successfully carried out its first kidney transplant 2 weeks ago and that the patient is doing very well. He commended the founder of the Sword of Victory Kidney Foundation, Pastor Ikechi Ameachi for establishing such an outreach that will avail the public the opportunity for early detection of symptoms for better treatment.
In his remark, Pastor Ikechi Ameachi, founder, Sword of Victory Kidney Foundation said the foundation was established to give opportunities to patients who fly abroad to seek medical treatments about kidney diseases. “The initiative was borne out of necessity to put an end to Nigerians embarking on frequent medical tour abroad for kidney disease and related cases. The foundation was established as an intervention to prevent the killer disease spreading further.”
“It is a partnership initiative with an Indian hospital that treats kidney cases with herbal medicine. Here, we diagnose patients to ascertain the level of the case and dispense medicines which are herbal drugs from India,” he said.
According to Ikechi, “Our yearly target is to sponsor six kidney patients, selected from each of the six geo-political zones of the country, for transplant, while five thousand patients shall be given free medicine. We may not be able to realise the foundation’s object judging from the scarce resources available.
As a not-for-profit organisation, we solicit for financial support from the public, and also, office facilities within Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja, to enable patients have direct access to the outreach.”
Dignitaries present at the inauguration are, Lt. Commodore Temitope jejelowo representing Commander, NNS WEY, Nigerian Navy Ojo, Dr. Ismaila Abdulsalam, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Yemisi Ajiyan, LASUTH, Ikeja, Fidelis Onyema, representing the C.E.O, Coscharis group and many others.
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