From HASSAN JIRGI Damaturu
Yobe State government has confirmed that it spends N360 million annually for free dialysis for patients living with kidney disease.
Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Baba Wali, who disclosed this while briefing the Director, Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre, BioRTC, at his office in Damaturu, said Governor Mai Mala Buni is worried about the rising cases of kidney failure in the state, especially in Bade Local Government Area.
He noted that the governor had earlier led a delegation to London School of Hygiene and other institutions in England mainly to initiate a research project.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Science, Research and Innovation, Dr Mahmoud Maina, who also serves as the director of BioRTC, said over 2,000 blood and urine samples, along with 500 samples of soil, water, fish, vegetables and other food items had been collected in Bade and Damaturu Local Government Areas as part of an extensive study to determine the root cause of kidney failure in the state.
He said the visit followed the successful completion of the first phase of sample and data collection in Bade and Damaturu Local Government Areas.
He explained that the research was part of a broader effort by the Yobe State government to address the rising cases of kidney disease.
Maina stated that the ongoing research represent the first stage of the project, adding that a second phase would focus on individuals already diagnosed with kidney disease for further analysis.
In his response, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Muhammad Gana stated that what the state government is doing in terms of funding kidney research is part of its dividends of democracy for the people.
He commended Governor Buni for giving priority to the health sector in the state.
