The Spotlight for Transparency and Accountability Initiative (STAI), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has lamented the rising cases of kidney failures among residents in Yobe state.
Raising the alarm, yesterday (Tuesday), in Damaturu, STAI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alhaji Modu Mua’zu disclosed that the issue of kidney disease in the state is alarming and has frightened many residents of Gashua Local Government Area.
“There is high prevalence of kidney disease affecting people in some parts of Yobe,” he warned, stating that this followed a recent report by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR).
According to him, the report also indicated that not less than 150 residents of Gashua town die from kidney failures each year.
Besides, he added that the report said; “About 120 to 150 people die of chronic kidney disease in the Council annually.”
While commending the State government for free dialysis, he urged the Buni administration to find the root causes of kidney disease among the people.
Head of the Chemical Pathology Unit, Specialists Hospital, Gashua, Anwali Ahmad attributed kidney failures to the preservation of food with chemicals.
He explained that many farmers in the town use prohibited herbicides and pesticides on crops and vegetables grown along the Kumadugu River Basin.
