There had been earlier reports calling on people with kidney problems to come for financial assistance and counseling. More than 500 of those present were said to be kidney patients. And those were only the ones who could make it. Imagine that number. What about those who couldn’t show up? What about other states?
.jpg)
With the rate at which kidney disease is rising, I think Nigerians need to have this conversation. What’s really happening? What are the actual causes? Is it a lack of health sensitization, or something more? Should we be looking more closely at manufacturing companies and the quality of what they produce? What about imported commodities? Are they truly certified for consumption?
With the rising cases of kidney disease and other health issues, we can’t keep ignoring where the problem starts. From the factory floor, to our ports, to the market shelves.
If what we eat, drink, and take as medicine is not properly regulated, then hospitals will keep getting full. We need stronger enforcement, real certification, and public awareness. Because prevention starts with what we put in our bodies. Treatment is important, but prevention starts at the source.
I was talking to someone about the importance of periodic medical checkups. He told me boldly that he’d rather not know if he has a medical condition. To him, knowing would slowly kill him. I tried to explain that awareness helps you manage it early and even prolong your life. But he wasn’t interested. This is the mindset of many people. I try to go for routine checks, but this year I haven’t, mainly because a comprehensive test now costs over ₦400,000. I believe this is why many average and poor Nigerians would rather live in ignorance. They can barely feed, let alone spend that much on a test.
If you can’t afford a medical test today, how will you afford dialysis? Standard dialysis is usually thrice a week and four hours per session, and it costs a fortune once your kidneys are damaged. Around ₦50,000 - ₦100,000 per session. Do the mathematics and multiply it by three times in a week.
If what we eat, drink, and take as medicine is not properly regulated, then hospitals will keep getting full. We need stronger enforcement, real certification, and public awareness. Because prevention starts with what we put in our bodies. Treatment is important, but prevention starts at the source.
I was talking to someone about the importance of periodic medical checkups. He told me boldly that he’d rather not know if he has a medical condition. To him, knowing would slowly kill him. I tried to explain that awareness helps you manage it early and even prolong your life. But he wasn’t interested. This is the mindset of many people. I try to go for routine checks, but this year I haven’t, mainly because a comprehensive test now costs over ₦400,000. I believe this is why many average and poor Nigerians would rather live in ignorance. They can barely feed, let alone spend that much on a test.
If you can’t afford a medical test today, how will you afford dialysis? Standard dialysis is usually thrice a week and four hours per session, and it costs a fortune once your kidneys are damaged. Around ₦50,000 - ₦100,000 per session. Do the mathematics and multiply it by three times in a week.
Why not be mindful of what you eat and drink today? Don’t be deceived by NAFDAC certification alone. Some commodities have fake certification, bribery registration, or are just expired goods repackaged. And let me say this, those painkillers many of you take to get quick relief? Overuse and overdose are one of the biggest causes of kidney damage.
Should I even talk about energy drinks? Please be health conscious and help yourself stay alive. There are too many chemical preservatives in what we consume today. If you can afford to make your own natural, homemade fruit drinks, please do so. It’s one way to stay medically fit.
Should I even talk about energy drinks? Please be health conscious and help yourself stay alive. There are too many chemical preservatives in what we consume today. If you can afford to make your own natural, homemade fruit drinks, please do so. It’s one way to stay medically fit.
Stay away from perishable commodities, too much salt, processed foods, and excess seasoning. Also avoid dehydration, that’s not drinking enough water. Most importantly, stay away from anything that can cause high blood pressure and diabetes. Both of them are the leading causes of kidney problems.
Protect your kidneys today, because treatment later will cost you more
Protect your kidneys today, because treatment later will cost you more
The kidney problems in that part of Nigeria is caused by fake poisonous drinks and fake drugs
ReplyDeleteNice write up👍
ReplyDeleteHealth is wealth and it's best to be protected
God please help us🙏
Thanks for the compliment. I do appreciate.
Delete©️ TEEJAY
From my search online, I found this important to share.
ReplyDeleteA comprehensive test / full body checkup in Nigeria currently ranges from ₦20,000 to ₦540,800 depending on how detailed it is and where you do it.
Here’s the breakdown as of 2026:
1. Basic / Essential Packages.
Good for early detection of sugar, BP, kidney, liver issues
- ₦20,000 - Essential Full Body Check: Fasting Blood Sugar, Total Cholesterol, Kidney Function, FBC,
LFT, Urinalysis
- ₦40,000 – ₦80,000 - Basic Wellness Checkup: FBC, Fasting Blood Sugar, Urinalysis, BP, BMI
- ₦50,000 - Standard Full Body Check: FBS, Lipid Profile, Kidney Function, LFT, FBC, Thyroid, Stool
2. Comprehensive / Premium Packages.
Covers heart, diabetes, thyroid, cancer markers, ultrasound, etc
- ₦60,000 - Comprehensive Screening: Liver, Kidney, Diabetes, Lipid, Thyroid, Heart markers, Cancer screening, Coagulation
- ₦100,000 - Premium Full Body Check: HbA1C, FBC, Lipid, LFT, Kidney, Thyroid, CRP, HIV, Hepatitis, Ultrasound-level checks
- ₦126,500 - Afriglobal Standard: RFT, LFT, Lipid, Chest X-ray, Ultrasound Abdomen, ECG, HbA1C, Hepatitis C, etc.
3. Executive / Gold Packages.
Very detailed, for people 40+ or with family history
- ₦487,300 - SYNLAB Gold Wellness: 29 tests including Vitamin D, CRP, Liver, Kidney, Heart, Pancreas
- ₦540,800 - SYNLAB Platinum Female: 31 tests.
Although, price varies by city and hospital.
©️ TEEJAY
God help us o
ReplyDeleteIt is well
Well written TJ.
ReplyDeleteAlso every family should have a BP machine and a test kit to check one's sugar level at home.
Thanks Rose.
DeleteI agree with that.
©️ TEEJAY
Kidney problems can be "silent" for a while, but when symptoms show up they usually mean the kidneys aren’t filtering well.
ReplyDeleteCommon symptoms to watch for:
- Swelling / Puffiness: Feet, ankles, hands, or face. This happens because kidneys can’t remove extra fluid.
- Changes in urination: Needing to go more often, especially at night. Urine looks foamy, bubbly, or has blood. Urine is very dark or very pale. Pain or burning when urinating.
- Fatigue + Weakness: Waste builds up in the blood and you feel tired/drained, even with enough sleep.
- Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite: Waste products can make you feel sick and food tastes "metallic"
- Itching / Dry skin: Waste buildup can cause severe itching.
- Shortness of breath: Fluid can build up in the lungs.
- Trouble concentrating, brain fog: From toxin buildup.
- Muscle cramps: Often at night, due to electrolyte imbalance.
- High blood pressure: Hard to control, and kidney disease can also cause it.
- Pain: Dull ache in your side/back, just below the ribs.
Important things to know:
1. Early kidney disease often has no symptoms. That’s why blood and urine tests matter.
2. Many of these symptoms can also be from other things — dehydration, infection, diabetes, etc.
If you or someone is having several of these, especially swelling + changes in urine + fatigue, please see a doctor or visit a hospital/clinic for tests. A doctor will usually check blood creatinine, eGFR, urine protein, and blood pressure to know what’s going on.
Early detection helps a lot with treatment.
©️ TEEJAY
Most kidney problems are a result of having diabetes. Eating too much canned foods, salty foods, not drinking enough water and regular exercise can lead to kidney problems. Limiting heavy carbs, sugar, and alcohol will prevent the diabetes. People with a family history of diabetes or kidney disease should be cautious about their lifestyle. Parents should try to cook without too much salt and limit junk food access so the children do not develop a liking for salty foods
ReplyDelete