Nigerians need not Travel Abroad for Kidney Transplantation Any Longer, Says NAN

The president of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN), Professor Babatunde Lawal has said that Nigerians need not to travel abroad for kidney transplantation any longer as the country has developed sufficient capacity and technical knowhow in this area.

Lawal said this while briefing press men during the association’s 29th scientific conference held at the conference centre of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex,ile ife yesterday.

He added that the association in the last 30 years, has contributed immensely to nephrology research figures, management of kidney diseases and also improved nephrology education and training.

He said,” NAN has produced a renal care policy for the country, engage the public and communities on preventive nephrology through the yearly World Kidney Day, and have also been responding to national emergency.

The NAN national President however sited that the country still lack adequate resources for the provision of renal care and thereby urged the Federal Government to ensure the provision of immunosupressants for transplant patients in the country.

He also implored the Federal Government to ensure the implementation of the Nigerian Health act relating to the transplantation of kidney.

“Our association will also advise that the minister of health, Professor I F Adewole include the basic screening for kidney disease and its putative risk factors in the primary care system currently been planned for the 10,000 wards all over Nigeria.

“This will reduce the burden of kidney diseases and its risk factors in the future and also save the country a huge sum of money for treatment of this condition.”