RismadarVoice Reporters, April 3, 2026
The North-East Development Commission (NEDC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Nephrology, Bauchi chapter, has launched a public awareness campaign to address the growing burden of chronic kidney disease in Bauchi State.
The sensitization exercise, held at the State Central Motor Park on Tuesday, focused on educating residents on prevention, early detection, and proper management of kidney-related illnesses, while also offering free medical screening.
Speaking at the event, the NEDC Bauchi State Coordinator, Aliyu Isiyaku, said the initiative aims to raise awareness and provide residents with access to basic health checks.
“We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity for free screening and guidance to prevent this life-threatening condition,” he said.
Isiyaku noted that chronic kidney disease has become a major public health concern in the North-East, stressing the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to curb its spread through awareness and preventive action.
Also speaking, the Head of the Renal Centre at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Dr Mohammed Garba, identified hypertension, diabetes, environmental factors, and the misuse of herbal medications as key contributors to the rising cases of kidney disease.
He explained that although World Kidney Day is globally observed on March 12, the Bauchi outreach was held after the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations due to the Ramadan fasting period. He added that the campaign aligns with the global theme promoting kidney health and the impact of environmental conditions on well-being.
Garba said the choice of a motor park as the venue was deliberate, citing the harsh working conditions faced by many residents in such environments.
“People here are exposed to excessive heat, overcrowding, and prolonged sunlight. Many do not hydrate adequately because of the nature of their work, which increases their risk of kidney damage,” he said.
He advised residents to drink sufficient water and minimise prolonged exposure to extreme heat to reduce health risks.
The nephrologist further revealed that while the cost of dialysis in Bauchi has been reduced from between N50,000 and N60,000 to about N12,000 per session, kidney care remains expensive for many patients.
According to him, between 70 and 80 per cent of chronic kidney disease patients also suffer from underlying conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, which, though largely preventable, require lifelong management.
“Many people are unaware they have these conditions until complications arise. Early detection and proper management can significantly reduce the burden of kidney disease,” Garba said.
He added that free services, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, were provided during the outreach, with those diagnosed receiving initial medication and referrals to healthcare facilities for further treatment.
Garba noted that patients with serious conditions were referred to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital for specialised care, stressing that while hypertension and diabetes have no permanent cure, they can be effectively managed through proper monitoring, medication, and healthy lifestyle choices.
Commending the NEDC for its support, he called for sustained collaboration to expand the campaign to more communities across Bauchi and the wider North-East region.
“Our goal is simple; if people are aware, they can take responsibility for their health. With continued support, we can reduce the burden of kidney disease and improve lives,” he said.
