Growing patronage of poor lifestyle habits and other abuses are exposing more than 27 million Nigerians to chronic renal diseases, kidney failure, and deaths. Besides the high-risk environment, the galloping cost of renal care has pushed remedial efforts beyond most sick Nigerians. Already, there are about 272,400 kidney-related deaths every 12 months.
In commemorating the World Kidney Day 2024 today, care practitioners have again highlighted the need for education about the importance of kidney health, healthy lifestyle, and urgency of collective support for the sick. Of particular concern for stakeholders is the frequency of illicit drug, alcohol abuse, and organ harvesting, especially due to worsening poverty in the country. According to the Nigerian Association of Nephrologist, out of the 12 per cent (that is, 27 million) of Nigerians at risk of chronic renal diseases, only about 5,000 can afford the cost of renal care