Yobe’s Kidney Crisis: Experts Launch Major Research Effort
A multi-disciplinary team of experts has convened to begin a crucial research project aimed at understanding and addressing the rising cases of kidney-related deaths in part Dade Emirate, Yobe.
Dr. Mahmud Maina, the Director Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre at Yobe State University made this known on Wednesday in Damaturu.
He explained that the Gov Mai Mala Buni tasked the center to collaborate with international partners to tackle the problem.
Dr. Maina added that the initial research had already identified Gashua as a hotspot.
He said the next phase of the project involves collecting environmental samples, including soil, water, and commonly consumed food items like vegetables and fish and samples from the local population.
According to Maina, the goal was to pinpoint the potential causes of the kidney-related deaths.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop brought together professionals from various fields, including physicians, renal nurses, lab scientists, geologists, and environmental scientists, to equip them with the necessary skills for conducting the research.
Dr. Babagoni Waru, Chief Medical Director of Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, outlined the scope of the research.
“We are going to do a lot of work, part of which involves looking at the environmental toxins that can be harmful to the kidney.
“We are going to conduct genetic studies as well as genetic analysis to look at all the possibilities in order to make sure that we cast our net wide.
“Following sample collection and analysis, the results will undergo statistical analysis.
“The team will then formulate findings and recommendations, which will be disseminated to political leaders, communities, traditional rulers, and the wider scientific community through seminars, workshops, and publications in international journals,” he explained.
While he commended Governor Buni for his concern and support, Dr CMD expressed gratitude for the progress made.
Adamu Yarima, a data collector participating in the training, described it as highly educational.
“The training has widened our horizon on how to conduct the activity systematically and scientifically,” he said.
