Expert Blames Gas Flaring, Black Soot For Kidney Failure

Some environmental pollutants such as gas flaring and the black soot have been identified as major contributors to kidney failures in the society.
Founder of Rekiff Kidney Support Foundation, a non governmental organisation, Mr. Charles Awogemi, made this observation in an interview with The Tide at a public/community kidney healthy enlightenment campaign at Rumuobiakani community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Awoyemi said that the issue of gas flaring and the black soot must be tackled to check the rising cases of the diseases in the State.
He also identified other causes to include; drug abuse, smoking of Indian hemp and excessive indulgement in alcohol, and stressed the need for people to know what they eat.
Awoyemi who also blamed the problem on witchcraft further stressed the need for people to seek the face of God, stressing that with the hardship being experienced in the land, people should turn to God for protection.
He described the cost of treatment of kidney related diseases as prohibitive, adding that it is only few Nigerians that can afford the cost of treatment.
The foundation founder who regretted that more Nigerians are dying of kidney failures also stressed the need for the construction of more kidney treatment centres in the country.
He said that the programme which has been organise, in several communities across the country was to create awareness on why people should be careful of what they eat.
Also speaking, the coordinator of the foundation Mr Cyril Ekpe said that over five thousand persons had benefitted from the activities of the foundation.
According to him, the programmes have been held in several communities in the state including primary and secondary schools, stressing that attention is now being focused or communities in the rural areas.
Also speaking, the secretary of Rumuobiakani Council of Chiefs/Elders, Sir Prince Daniel thanked the organisation for identifying with the needs of the communities, stressing that it is the first time the community is benefiting from the programme.