By Umar Sani
The North-East Development Commission, in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Nephrology, Bauchi chapter, has launched a public awareness campaign to tackle the rising burden of chronic kidney disease in Bauchi State.
The sensitisation exercise, held at the State Central Motor Park on Tuesday, focused on educating residents on preventive measures, early detection, and proper management of kidney-related illnesses.
Speaking during the event, the NEDC Bauchi State Coordinator, Aliyu Isiyaku, said the initiative was designed to create awareness and provide residents with access to free medical screening. He urged members of the public to take advantage of the exercise to safeguard their health.
“We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity for free screening and guidance to prevent this life-threatening condition,” he said.
Isiyaku noted that chronic kidney disease had become a major public health concern in the North-East, making the partnership between the commission and the nephrology association necessary.
He stressed the need for increased awareness and preventive action to address the growing challenge.
Also speaking, the Head of the Renal Centre at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Dr Mohammed Garba, attributed the rising cases of kidney disease to factors such as hypertension, diabetes, environmental conditions, and the misuse of herbal medications.
He explained that although World Kidney Day is globally observed on March 12, the Bauchi outreach was scheduled after the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations because of the Ramadan fast.
He added that the campaign aligns with the global theme, which emphasises kidney health for all and the impact of environmental factors on well-being.
According to him, the choice of a motor park as the venue was deliberate because of the harsh conditions faced by workers.
“People here are exposed to excessive heat, overcrowding, and prolonged sunlight. Many do not hydrate adequately because of the nature of their work, which increases their risk of kidney damage,” he said.
Garba advised residents to drink enough water and avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat.
He further disclosed that while dialysis costs in Bauchi have been reduced from between N50,000 and N60,000 to about N12,000 per session, kidney care remains expensive.
Garba revealed that between 70 and 80 per cent of patients with chronic kidney disease also suffer from underlying conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, which are largely preventable but require lifelong management.
“Many people are unaware they have these conditions until complications arise. Early detection and proper management can significantly reduce the burden of kidney disease,” he said.
The nephrologist added that free medical services, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, were provided during the outreach. He said individuals diagnosed during the exercise were given initial medication for up to one week and referred to healthcare facilities for further treatment.
Garba noted that participants with serious health concerns were immediately referred to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital for specialised care. He emphasised that although hypertension and diabetes have no permanent cure, they can be effectively managed through consistent monitoring, medication, and healthy lifestyle choices.
While commending the NEDC for its support, Garba said the intervention had significantly strengthened awareness efforts in the state.
He also called for sustained collaboration to expand the campaign to more communities across Bauchi and the wider North-East region.
“Our goal is simple: if people are aware, they can take responsibility for their health. With continued support, we can reduce the burden of kidney disease and improve lives,” Garba said.
