Kidney Failure Causes 248 Deaths …UPTH Grapples With Challenge

About 248 children and adults have died of chronic kidney disease within the last 30 years at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).

A consultant paediatrician at the hospital, Professor Felicia Eke, disclosed this at a one-day kidney awareness seminar organized by Rekiff Kidney Support Foundation at the Airforce Base in Port Harcourt.

Eke also complained of lack of transplant facility at the health institution, adding that the university needs the support of both the government and the general public to tackle the problem.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Airforce has pledged to put in place programmes to improve the welfare of its officers and men.

The Commander 97 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Airforce, Port Harcourt, Air Commodore Paul Dimfwina, who said this, during the seminar, said that the event was part of activities lined to improve the conditions of men and officers of the base.

The Commander, who was represented by Wing Commander G.K. Luka, said that, the programme was to enlighten them on the effect of chronic kidney disease and ways of preventing it.

He said that seminars on hepatitis and obesity as well as the change in weather conditions have also been organized at the base.

According to him, the event was part of the programme by the base to ensure that its men and officers live a healthy and fulfilled life.

Earlier, coordinator of Rekiff kidney support Foundation, Cyril Ekpe had said that the seminar was to enlighten the public on causes of kidney disease and how to avoid it.

Ekpe, who was represented by the Secretary of the Foundation, John Edeh, said that the mission of the Foundation was to share ardent love values to victims of kidney failure and in the process provide them with the necessary knowledge and resources to overcome their predicaments.

He said that the founder, Charles Awoyemi, was a survivor of chronic kidney failure, stressing that the foundation will continue to enlighten the people on the effects of kidney disease.