LASUTH Kidney Specialist Campaigns for Better Kidney Health in Nigeria

In commemoration of the World Kidney Day themed ‘Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere, from Prevention to Detection and Equitable Access to Care’, professionals at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) made a call for residents of Lagos State to pay attention to their health.

Associate Professor of Medicine and Consultant Nephrologist, Dr. Adebowale Adekoya laid emphasis on the need to sensitize the citizenry on a regular basis. He said the hospital devised a rotational system where the annual Kidney Day is celebrated at designated centres in the State.

According to him, “This year, we will be holding the awareness programme at Alimosho general Hospital, in Alimosho Local Government area of the state. This way we believe we can spread the information across board.”

He noted that the various awareness activities are not restricted to the World Kidney Day alone. He said “we often engage and are engaged by concerned stakeholders such as individuals or media houses who organize events and create time to speak about health issues in the media, hence, we are constantly informing and educating the people on how to look out for signs of ill-health.”

While laying emphasis on the need for early detection, Dr. Adekoya pointed out, “like every other medical condition, the best stage of treatment is early detection. That is the way underlying causes such as hypertension, diabetes amongst others can be managed and kidney damage can be avoided or halted.

Many people do not come to the hospital on time, which is one of the reasons we are creating more awareness. Whenever anyone experiences unusual changes in his or her body, such person should visit the doctor immediately. Some of the signs to look out for include any drastic change in urination pattern, swelling face and feet and unexplained tiredness.”

World Kidney Day holds on the 2nd Thursday in March every year.