The Nigerian Nephrologists, Renal Nurses, Renal Technicians, Dieticians, Transplant surgeons and other people involved in the care of patients with kidney diseases held its 32nd Annual General Meeting, AGM, and Scientific Conference in Ibadan with the “Kidney Disease and Demographics”

During the conference, it was revealed that a lot of Nigerians have kidney disease due to frequent intake of herbal concoctions.

Speaking on the theme of the AGM, ‘Kidney Disease and Demographics,’ the President of the association, Prof. Ifeoma Ulasi, said that the aim of meeting is to sensitise the public on primary prevention, owing to the high cost of treating the disease.

Ulasi noted that there were multiple factors causing kidney diseases, apart from genetics, adding that the nation’s health insurance needed to be reviewed to cater for people with the disease.

She said “The prevalence of kidney disease is about eight to 12 percent of the Nigerian population; it could be more, but as you may well know, many of our people don’t report to the hospital on time.

“They would have tried one or two alternative practices like native doctors or turned to spiritual houses to seek attention; we don’t get to see them early, but we believe it is about eight to 12 percent. So, if you work it out, 10 percent will be about 20 million Nigerians having kidney diseases.

“There are so many practices apart from us being genetically predisposed to kidney diseases. There are some practices that are not very good for our kidney health; oftentimes, some women use some medicated soaps that contain mercury; this is not good for the kidney,” she said.

According to her, many people also take herbal medications, which are not quantified, while the concentration is unknown.

The president, however, noted that early detection as well as government support in terms of policy for renal care would help reduce its prevalence.

She added that the economy of taking care of patients with the disease fell on the family, which, she added, was in favour of men than women.

Ulasi called for the review of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, to cover care of kidney diseases.

She said that other ailments, such as hypertension and diabetes as well as some drugs for arthritis for the elderly, if not prescribed, could cause kidney diseases.