By Ngozi Nwoke
Medical experts have raised the alarm over the disturbing rate of people suffering from kidney-related issues.
They said at least 30,000 people yearly get to the stage where they need dialysis or transplant, adding that it costs about N700,000 monthly for a patient to be on dialysis and about N15 million to perform a kidney transplant in Nigeria. In most cases, patients are unable to afford such amounts.
Among other causes, the experts identified hypertension, diabetes and chronic infections such as hepatitis B and C, and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV), sickle cell anaemia, painkillers and bleaching products as major causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Nigeria.
They blamed the rise of CKD on poor medical facilities in parts of the country and were of the opinion that most people with kidney issues had no knowledge about the early signs and did not have access to immediate and available quality health care when they were diagnosed of the ailment.
A medical doctor in Lagos, Friday Eze, stressed that 80 per cent of patients who had CKD did not know they had the disease until it became apparent and worse. He said early detection and quick medical intervention are life-saving miracles that could avert further damage on the kidneys.
He urged people to protect their kidneys by living a healthy life, undergo regular medical check ups and always inform their health care providers of every sudden changes in their body.
“Kidney failure occurs when the kidney is unable to filter waste from blood. The function of the kidneys is to remove toxins from the body. These toxins go to the bladder and are flushed from the body when you urinate.
“When someone is diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, it means the kidney is damaged and is slowly losing its ability to function properly. kidney disease occurs slowly with early manifestation of symptoms and gets worse with time. It cannot be cured, but doctors can always advise patients on medications to take in order to slow down the level of damage and delay the kidney from failing.
“People who are prone to experience kidney failure are people with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and other underlying diseases. The early symptoms people who are healthy need to look out for are muscle pain, swelling in the feet, frequent urination, shortness of breath and insomnia. There are other symptoms that manifest over time. But for a person to experience the above mentioned early symptoms, it is a warning sign of a looming danger and immediate medical actions should be taken before it gets worse.
“Best ways to prevent kidney disease is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, don’t smoke, take alcohol with caution, if you must take it, or avoid it completely at best; undergo regular medical examinations, keep a close communication with your doctor. About 80 per cent people who have kidney disease did not know until the case became worse and life-threatening. When CKD is detected early and there is quick medical intervention, the patient can be saved up to 90 per cent chances,” he said.
Medical doctor of the First Cardiologist Consultant, Lagos, Mr. Kofoworola Ogunyakin, warned that high blood pressure and high sugar levels could cause kidneys to malfunction and expose the person to the risk of chronic kidney disease.
The medical expert also advised Nigerians to take care of their kidneys by practicing kidney-friendly routine, always stay hydrated, time-to-time examination of vital organs, avoiding excessive consumption of salts and self-medication.
He said: “Research shows that CKD is more prevalent among males in their early and middle age than women. More than 70% of people with CKD were traced to have been consuming herbal concoctions, others were due to the intensive use of bleaching creams; a large number of patients have a family history of CKD, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV-positive, urinary tract infection and history of cancer. Patients with CKD have also abused NSAIDS, chronic use of analgesics and frequent consumption of raw salt to cooked food. Other causes are lifestyle habits of consuming alcohol, cigarette-smoking and ingestion of hard narcotics.
“It is not only worrisome that people are suffering from CKD, it is more worrisome that most people are ignorant of the causes of CKD. For example, people who use bleaching products do not know that the content of these products can damage their kidneys and other vital organs in theiir body. The World Health Organization (WHO) had revealed that 77% of Nigeria women use bleaching products on regular basis. These bleaching substances contain mercury which damages the skin and the kidney of the user. This is a disturbing revelation.
“Another factor that can cause CKD is that people dont value their health. Most Nigerians do not do routine medical check-up and by the time they are finding out that they have one chronic disease or the other, complications are already setting in. The healthcare sector also enables the prevalence of CKD with its inadequate facilities for this life-threatening ailment.”
Responding to the question on if he could donate his kidney to anyone, Mr. Kenneth Akuwuigwe, affirmed that he cannot and anyone suffering from the ailment should seek the miracle of God and not solicit for a kidney transplant.
“God gave every human two kidneys and he has a purpose for that. He knows that anyone who doesn’t have the both kidneys has a half life. Therefore, I cannot donate my kidney to anyone, not even a family relative. Anyone suffering from kidney-related issues should seek the intervention of God. He is God of all flesh and there is nothing hard for him to do.
“No matter the amount of money involved in kidney donation, I can never donate my kidney. It means I have donated half of my life and the money realised from the sale of my kidney is blood money. If for any reason I donate my kidney, I will not share the money with anyone.
“The best way to avoid kidney-related issues is to avoid taking narcotics, live a healthy life by eating enough vegetables. Another cause of CKD which people must avoid is to treat or manage underlying health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, respiratory problems, heart issues and others. When these ailments are left untreated, they begin to accumulate and result in serious health issues that are worse than kidney disease. People should take proper care of themselves to avoid looking for kidney donors.”
Another respondent, Mr. James Enema, said: “If I’m requested to donate my kidney, it will only depend on the person involved who needs the kidney transplant. I can only donate my kidney to my wife and child because they are my immediate family and my blood. I can’t do the same for anyone who is not a member of my immediate family.”
Mr. Chris Umejiego said: “It is a no for me. I have only two kidneys and I need them to be able function properly and live a satisfying life. I can only consider donating my kidney if there is a responsible breadwinner in my family who I can entrust the care and welfare of my wife and children in his hands. It is only on this condition that I can decide to sacrifice my kidney to anyone.
“Another reason is if the financial inducement is rich and worth the donation of my kidney. Everyone has a price. I can also consider it not just my own gain but to provide for my family and people who are looking up to me for financial support.”
A respondent, who identified as Aliu Iliyasu, also said: “The reasons I can’t donate one of my kidney is that all humans have two kidneys and all the two kidney has its own function in the human body. If I donate one out of the two, I will be left with one which will have conditions and health implications.
“So, I will be left with one.The way life is going, you can’t predict what will happen in the next second to other parts of your body. We need to watch over our health for tomorrow.”
Clara Nduka vehemently rejected donating her kidney for any reason. She said: “I am an only child of my parents and as a female, when I get married, I’ll still have to keep my father’s name and lineage in existence. So, you see why I can’t donate my kidney to anyone and for any reason.
“Even if any of my parents have the need for a kidney transplant, none of them will advise me to donate my kidney to them because of the obvious reason. Even if I wanted to, they will decline. As for donating to an unknown person, it’s impossible and absolutely unthinkable.”
The same was the response of Chineye Iyiegbu. She said: “Me, donate my kidney? If I donate my kidney in exchange for money, how then do I live. It means I will live the rest of my life in a certain condition. It means I will visit the hospital regularly for check up. I won’t eat certain food of my choice because I need to protect the other kidney left.
“It means I can’t freely drink my alcohol or soft drinks anymore because I’m conscious of my other kidney. It generally means my life will be lived under strict guidelines. It’s not possible. I won’t even think of it, not to talk of considering it no matter who is involved. I’m grateful that no member of my immediate family is in that condition where a kidney transplant is required.”