The North East Development Commission (NEDC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Nephrology, has organized a one-day awareness campaign and free kidney screening exercise for residents of Jalingo, Taraba State, as part of activities to mark World Kidney Day.
The event, held at the Jalingo Main Motor Park, brought together medical experts and residents, with the aim of promoting early detection and prevention of kidney-related diseases in the North-East region.
Speaking at the exercise, the Taraba State Coordinator of the NEDC, Alhaji Adamu Lawal, said the initiative was driven by the growing number of kidney disease cases in the region, noting that many people remain unaware of the risks and preventive measures.
According to him, the programme was designed to raise awareness while also providing free medical services to the public, especially those who may not have easy access to healthcare facilities.
“We are marking World Kidney Day by creating awareness because kidney-related issues are becoming increasingly common in this region. It is important for people to understand the causes and how to prevent them,” Lawal said.
He explained that medical experts were engaged to carry out the screenings, adding that all services, including consultations and tests, were offered free of charge to residents.
Lawal also said the choice of the motor park as the venue was intentional, as it allowed the outreach to reach vulnerable groups, particularly commercial drivers and low-income earners.
“The people here are among the most vulnerable. Many of them are not aware of the causes of kidney disease. This outreach is to help them understand the risks and know their health status,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Chief Consultant Nephrologist at the Taraba State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Yerima Sulaiman, said the screening exercise covered key indicators of kidney disease, including hypertension, diabetes, and urinalysis.
He explained that individuals identified with any health conditions during the exercise would be counselled and referred to appropriate health facilities for further management.
“We are ready to screen as many people as possible. Early detection is key in preventing complications associated with kidney disease,” he said.
Dr. Sulaiman expressed concern over the increasing cases of kidney disease, noting that the condition has become more prevalent compared to previous decades.
“Today, kidney disease is on the increase. In most hospitals, a significant number of patients on admission are battling kidney-related issues,” he said.
He attributed the rising cases to poor dietary habits, excessive consumption of processed foods and energy drinks, as well as increasing cases of hypertension, diabetes, and dehydration.
“It is not uncommon to find drivers consuming multiple energy drinks daily without considering the health implications,” he warned.
He also advised against excessive use of food seasonings and unhealthy diets, which he said contribute significantly to kidney problems.
In her remarks, a Nephrology Nurse in charge of the Dialysis Unit at the Taraba State Specialist Hospital, Jamila Sami Jibir, also confirmed an increase in kidney disease cases in recent times.
She said the number of patients presenting with kidney-related conditions has risen sharply, making the situation a growing concern for health workers in the state.
“Previously, kidney disease was relatively rare in Taraba, but now we record multiple cases weekly. The situation is becoming alarming due to lifestyle and dietary habits,” she said.
Jibir urged residents to adopt healthier lifestyles, avoid drug abuse and indiscriminate use of herbal medicines, and ensure adequate water intake to reduce the risk of kidney disease.
She also emphasized the importance of regular medical check-ups, noting that treatment for kidney disease is often expensive and difficult to sustain.
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