A Consultant Nephrologist, Dr. John Okoh, has urged the federal government to make dialysis treatment affordable and accessible in order to ensure a healthier society.
According to Okoh, one of the ways of making it affordable is for government to include the treatment of kidney disease into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
Okoh made this known at a sensitisation/advocacy walk in commemoration of this year’s World Kidney Day set aside to create awareness among the public about kidney health. The Theme for this year is “Kidney Health for Everyone, Everywhere”.
Another nephrologist, Dr. Kingsley Odum, warned beneficiaries at the event that kidney disease is no respecter of persons.
A singer, actress and 1st Runner up of Big Brother Naija, Bisola Aiyeola, said “I’m here for all the people that have been diagnosed with kidney disease to create awareness about the disease”.
The advocacy walk culminated at Alade Market open space, Ikeja, where people received sensitisation lecture and free health screening.
One of the beneficiaries, a trader, Mrs. Biola Oso, said the free screening had provided opportunity to many people in the community who do not have financial capability to run such test. About 2500 people benefited from free health screening.