Spotlight for Transparency and Accountability Initiative, an NGO, has expressed concern
over what it describes as “prevalence of kidney disease affecting people in some parts of Yobe.”
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the organisation, Alhaji Modu Mu’azu, expressed the group’s worry at a news conference
on Tuesday in Damaturu.
He said the issue of kidney disease in Yobe became frightening and alarming following a recent report by the International
Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR).
He added that the report indicated that not less than 150 residents of Gashua town in Yobe State die of kidney disease yearly.
He added that “according to the report, about 120 to 150 people die of chronic kidney disease in Gashu’a Local Government Area annually.
“About 20 to 30 people are diagnosed with kidney disease every month.’’
He, therefore, called for quick and drastic measures by the state and the Federal Government to check the trend.
Mu’azu said his organisation had launched a campaign — #ActOnKidneyNow#ResueGashu’a — using multidimensional
approach to support government in addressing the situation.
He, however, commended the state government for providing free dialysis for indigenes of the state suffering from the disease,
and urged the government to find the root cause of the problem and put an end to it.
The group CEO further called on people of the state and other stakeholders to participate in the campaign to ensure preventive
measures were put in place.
Meanwhile, NAN recalls that following the ICIR report, Anwali Ahmad, Head of Chemical Pathology Unit, Specialist Hospital, Gashau,
told the Centre that many residents die of kidney failure because they preserve the foods they eat with chemicals.
Ahmad, whose department tests kidneys and identifies people with the disease, said many farmers in the town use banned herbicides on their crops.
He added that in Gashua, people do year-round farming through the support of the Komadugu River.
NGO raises concern over rising kidney disease in Yobe
Kidney
By Ahmed Abba
Damaturu, Aug. 9, 2022 (NAN) Spotlight for Transparency and Accountability Initiative, an NGO on Tuesday, expressed serious concern over prevalence of kidney diseases affecting people in some parts of Yobe.
Alhaji Modu Mu’azu, the CEO of the organisation, made the concern while briefing news men in Damaturu.
He emphasised that considering the danger posed by the disease, it required quick and drastic measures from the government.
Mu’azu explained that the issue of kidney disease became frightening and alarming with the recent report.
“According to a recent report, about 120 to 150 people die in Gashu’a Local Government annually of chronic kidney disease.
“About 20 to 30 people are diagnosed with kidney disease every month,” he said.
Mu’azu also said his organisation launched a campaign ‘#ActOnKidneyNow #ResueGashu’a’, using a multidimensional approach to support government in addressing the situation.
He, however, commended Yobe government efforts in providing free dialysis for the indigenes of the state.
He urged the government to also find the root cause of the problems and put an end to it.
Mu’azu further called on all people of the state and other stakeholders to participate in the campaign to ensure preventive measures were put in place to protect people of the state.
NAN
