Kidney diseases: Late detection forms major challenge – Expert

The acting Chief Executive Officer, Benin Medical Care, Oseyomon Okaiwele, has revealed that the major challenge of kidney disease is late detection.

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According to him, 80 per cent of people with kidney disease are not aware that they have it until it gets to an advanced stage.

Okaiwele said that there is a tendency that dialysis or transplant would be required for them to stay alive when the disease is not detected early.

Speaking at the launch of the renal dialysis services of the hospital in Benin, Edo State, he stated, “The major challenge of kidney disease is late detection. About 80 per cent of the people with the disease are unaware they have it, and by the time it is detected the disease is at a stage where the kidneys have failed to the extent that dialysis and transplant become the only solution.

“Of the 20 million Nigerians living with kidney problem, some of them would be in stage one, two, three, four and five. When an individual gets to stage five, that is the point where dialysis and transplant is needed,” he noted.

He also identified hypertension, diabetes, chronic inflammation of the kidney, known as chronic glomerulonephritis, chronic infections such as hepatitis B and C, and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus, sickle cell anaemia, inherited kidney disease, indiscriminate use of painkillers, abuse of herbal preparation and bleaching creams as the major causes of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Speaking further, the Chairman, Board of Directors, BMC, Godwin Ehigiamusoeon, disclosed that he invested in the hospital to bring quality healthcare closer to the people.

Wumi/Punch