Consultant nephrologist, Dr. Ade Faponle of the Zenith Medical and Kidney Center in Abuja, has said that Nigeria only has 250 specialists in the field of chronic kidney disease.
Faponle made this statement on Wednesday in Ilorin while presenting a paper at the 2022 Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Association of Resident Doctors, University of Ilorin branch.
The subject of the expert’s speech was “Kidney Protection: Evolving and Emerging Threats – Call to Action.”
He bemoaned the lack of CKD specialists in the nation, saying that there are not enough of them to treat the rising number of CKD patients in Nigeria.
He ranked chronic kidney disease as the fifth most common cause of mortality worldwide, creating a global health emergency.
“About 1/8th of the world population have a kidney disorder. One in every five men and one in every four women have CKD,” he said.
Faponle defined CKD as a gradual decline of renal function over many years, noting that a person may finally experience kidney failure.
He emphasized the significance of the kidneys since they perform crucial tasks including eliminating poisons and harmful substances from the body.
“They are considered mighty organs, as they filter blood 40 times a day. No single machine can be that ultra-efficient,” he said.
Due to the lack of symptoms in the early stages of the disease, the specialist noted that the majority of CKD sufferers are unaware of their ailment.
He noted that usually, by the time a person experiences any symptoms, the illness is already advanced and that kidney damage at this point is particularly dangerous.
He says that edema, or swollen hands, feet, and ankles, is a sign of CKD. Other symptoms of CKD include anemia, hypertension, and high blood pressure.
Faponle advised Nigerians to consistently eat more fresh veggies and steer clear of unhealthy meals.
Along with providing advice on managing diabetes and hypertension, he also issued a warning against the intake of various herbal concoctions.
