News
World Kidney Day: ‘600,000 Women Die Annually’
About 600,000 women have been said to die from kidney-related diseases and failures every year across the globe.
Consultant Paediatrician, Spring Rose Hospital, Port Harcourt, Dr. Elizabeth-Martha Okorie revealed this during her seminar presentation to mark the 2018 World Kidney Day organised by the Rekiff Kidney Support Foundation in partnership with the Renal Unit, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), yesterday.
Speaking on this year’s theme, ‘Kidney and Women’s Health’, Okorie noted that there were rising cases of kidney diseases and failures among men and women, maintaining that this year’s commemoration was dedicated to the women.
Okorie stated that certain lifestyles, including smoking and alcohol intake have become common with the women folk, thereby exposing them to the risk of kidney diseases.
Describing the kidney as an amazing structure, the expert explained that the kidney was the unit that does all the work of excreting excess iron and other waste products from the human system, stating that its damage was the damage of the entire system.
Okorie revealed that Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) lead to swollen legs, faces, joints, anaemia, hypertension, weakness of the body, among other symptoms, adding that with such condition, excess poisonous substances were retained in the system resulting to death.
Also in her paper, Consultant Paediatrician, Nephrology Unit, UPTH, Dr. Tochi Ada Uchenna, identified Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) as a major cause of kidney disease.
Uchenna noted that the female urethra was shorter in nature than the male counterpart, averring that this state of the urethra predisposes the woman more to infections leading to kidney diseases.
While identifying the risk factors of UTI as female sex, constipation, poor toilet habits, tight clothing, cotton under-wears, sexual activity, pregnancy, among others, Uchenna stressed the need for a healthy lifestyle as well as regular medical screening of urinalysis, dispstix, culture and sensitivity (C&S).
Speaking to The Tide shortly after the programme, the Secretary, Rekiff Kidney Support Foundation, Edeh John Chinedu said it has become imperative for the government to intervene in kidney cases following its rising and deadly nature in recent times.
Chinedu noted with dismay the government’s neglect accorded kidney issues as against that gained by HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, saying “yet, kidney diseases kills more, is more cost intensive and requires the attention of the government more”.
Chinedu, who lamented the lack and non-functional state of dialysis machines in Nigerian hospitals, said the foundation, a child of circumstance, founded in 2012, was poised to create awareness, advocacy and smiles on the faces of kidney patients.
It would be noted that Rekiff Kidney Support Foundation is a charitable non-governmental organisation (NGO) with the mission of showing ardent love to victims of kidney failure, providing them with the necessary knowledge and resources to overcome their predicaments as well as carry out public enlightenment campaign on kidney care and health lifestyle to prevent kidney diseases or failure.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
-
News2 days ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics4 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News4 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News2 days ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports4 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Niger Delta2 days agoRoyal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support
-
Politics4 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics4 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries