Gashua: The Yobe Government has deployed 50 health experts to investigate the causes of the alarming cases of kidney failure in some parts of the state. Dr. Mahmud Maina, the Director of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre in Yobe University, disclosed this initiative during a visit to Gashua in the Bade Local Government Area.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Maina explained that the research project, funded by Governor Mai Mala Buni, aims to understand the risk and causative factors contributing to the high number of deaths related to kidney disease, particularly within the Bade Emirate. The team comprises 50 experts, including neurology consultants, lab scientists, nephrologists, geologists, chemists, echo toxicologists, and collaborators from the UK, U.S., and Ghana.
The team plans to conduct interviews with 2,000 people in the Bade and Damaturu Local Government Areas to determine whether the causes of kidney failure are environmental, lifestyle-related, or genetic. Dr. Babagoni W
aru, the Chief Medical Director of the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to identify the underlying causes of the problem. He urged the team to diligently uncover the common factors contributing to the public health challenge and to effectively implement preventive measures.
Additionally, Alhaji Ibrahim Babagana, the Chairman of Bade Local Government Area, assured the team of the council’s support. He expressed grief over the loss of six family members to kidney disease recently and pledged the commitment of the council, the emirate, and the entire community to the success of the research project.
The News Agency of Nigeria also reported that on June 4, 2024, the state government announced it had sponsored over 50,000 free dialysis sessions for patients suffering from renal diseases in the past five years.