By Jemilu Hassan
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The Jigawa State Government has expressed deep concern over the escalating cases of kidney disease in the state, with diabetes and hypertension identified as major contributing factors. State Commissioner for Health, Abdullahi Kainuwa, raised the alarm at the Annual Physician Week organized by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Hadejia town.
In 2023, Jigawa hospitals recorded: 147,924 visits for hypertension treatment 94,000 visits for diabetes treatment 9,448 visits for sickle cell disease treatment
These numbers underscore the urgent need for intervention.
To address this health crisis, the state government plans to:Make dialysis free for all Jigawa State patients by March next year
Establish free Kidney Dialysis centers in five emirate councils: Dutse, Hadejia, Kazaure, Ringim, and Gumel
– Provide free treatment for diabetics, hypertension, and sickle cell patients in state-owned health facilities starting January
This proactive approach aims to mitigate the impact of kidney disease on communities
Kidney disease has ravaged several Jigawa communities, claiming numerous lives and devastating families ¹. The state’s rising cases are part of a broader trend in Northwest Nigeria, where Jigawa accounts for 38.3% of kidney disease cases requiring hemodialysis [2).
By taking bold steps, the Jigawa State Government hopes to stem the tide of this silent killer and safeguard the health of its citizens.
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