LUTH Nephrologists Test 800 UNILAG Students, Staff For Kidney Damage!!!

Worried by increasing cases of kidney diseases across the country, the Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, penultimate Thursday, got no fewer than 800 students and staff of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), tested for early signs of kidney damage.

As the unit joined the rest of the world in marking the World Kidney Day held annually on March 14, they, however, called on government at all levels to make health care affordable in the country, if incidencesof kidney damages would be reduced.

Speaking to Quadlife shortly after a Sensitization Walk within the university campus, Dr. Braimoh Rotimi, Consultant Nephrologist at theDepartment of Medicine, LUTH, said that the public awareness campaign and screening exercise became imperative as kidney problems are on the increase in Nigeria just like it is in other parts of the world.

He said; “Bothered by the increasing incidences of kidney damages leading to loss of lives annually, there are few things we can do in order to preserve our kidneys. One of such things will be our blood pressure. It is important to regularly or at least check our blood pressure every three months to see whether it is increasing or normal.

“The second is to check our blood sugar. It’s advisable not to take more than two or three bottles of minerals in a week because, excesssugar intake leads to diabetes mellitus, which largely contributes to kidney damages. It’s important to check them regularly to see if they are rising. If they are rising, something needs to be done quickly to prevent kidney damages.”