In a bid to enhance healthcare accessibility for individuals suffering from kidney diseases, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, has officially sanctioned the procurement of 7,887 dialysis consumables.
Following a council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Work, Ali Pate, shared this development with reporters.
This initiative is geared towards tackling the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes.
The dialysis supplies will be disseminated to seven federal tertiary hospitals, including the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the National Hospital in Abuja.
Emphasizing the significance of preventive measures in addition to treatment, Pate outlined plans for public health screenings and lifestyle adjustments to diminish the occurrence of kidney diseases in the future.
Pate expressed: “As part of the ongoing efforts of the President aimed at reducing healthcare expenses and addressing the significant burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, including hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, and various vascular conditions, the Council has endorsed the one-time purchase of 7,887 dialysis consumables for use in seven federal tertiary hospitals by Nigerians afflicted with chronic diseases.”
“The hospitals selected for this provision include the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre in Ebuta Metta, Federal Medical Centre in Owerri, the National Hospital in Abuja, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, University Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri, and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.”
“This initiative targets reducing the treatment costs for individuals with underlying diseases requiring dialysis.”
“While this marks a crucial beginning, the management of kidney diseases demands a robust prevention strategy in addition to dialysis treatment. This aligns with the Federal Ministry of Health’s efforts to prevent hypertension and diabetes cases from advancing into kidney diseases.”
“Our focus includes screening initiatives enabling Nigerians to check for hypertension and diabetes, coupled with lifestyle modifications to reduce the necessity for dialysis. While the need for dialysis persists among affected individuals, the financial barrier to access is acknowledged as a significant hurdle.”
“This initiative spearheaded by Mr. President seeks to alleviate this issue in conjunction with other policy interventions to ensure Nigerians benefit from essential healthcare services. With this endorsement, we aim to provide crucial support and relief to numerous Nigerians and their families seeking dialysis services, a vital necessity in our country.”