Kidney diseases surge in Jigawa as NMA enlightens public

A recent study has revealed a disturbing trend in chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases in Jigawa State mostly in Hadejia Emirate.

As a result of the significant increase of CKD in the emirate, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has sensitised the people of Hadejia on prevention measures.

The research, published in the BIMA Journal of Science and Technology, shows a significant increase in CKD cases, with 548 recorded cases from 2013 to 2018 at General Hospital Hadejia and 91 current cases.

The study identified certain wards, including Arki, Fandom, Fataika, Jabbo, Tonikutara, and Yankoli, as high-prevalence areas for CKD. These areas are primarily agricultural communities, raising concerns about potential environmental factors contributing to the disease.

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Researchers also found that CKD cases occurred mostly during the rainy season (June-September), with a decrease in cases from December to May. This correlation suggests possible contamination of water sources due to agrochemicals and pollutants from upstream and within the wetlands area during the wet season.

Dr. Muhammad Abdullahi Kainuwa, the Jigawa State Commissioner of Health said the statistics of the kidney patients currently is 91 and that the cases are always reported to the hospitals.

Kainuwa said the state government is trying its best to see that all kidney patients in the state receive medical care free of charge.

According to the commissioner of health, the state government has pledged to address the issue, with plans to; establish additional dialysis centers, provide training for healthcare professionals, and to launch public awareness campaigns.

Dr. Umar Abdulbaseed, NMA Chairman, Jigawa State chapter said the  meeting is an annual event that usually invites researchers after conducting a research on a particular disease in the state.

A guest speaker, Dr Zainab Abdul Aziz Umar, consultant family physician at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) said economic variants and marginalisation of rural areas are part of the causes of CKD and other health related cases in the rural communities in Nigeria.

She said there is a need to establish dialysis centres around Hadejia, Jahun and places where kidney disease is rampant.

She urged the people including the traditional and religious leaders to come together to bring out lasting solutions in addressing the causes of CKD and its prevalence.