By Mala Abdulazeez
To address the high prevalence of kidney disease, the Yobe State government, through the Biomedical Research Training Center (BioRTC) of the state university, has commenced sample collection, targeting households in Damaturu and Gashua communities.
A group of trained researchers, including physicians, renal nurses, laboratory scientists, geologists, and environmental scientists recently trained by the Yobe State Government, are responsible for the kidney disease sampling research, which aims to understand and tackle the prevailing disease in the region.
The research, supervised by the Media and Disability Care Initiative (MEDCI), a non-governmental organization, seeks to address the rising concern of kidney disease, which has led to the deaths of thousands of people in the area over the years.
S.A Science, Research, and Innovation, and Director of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC), Dr. Mahmoud Bukar
During the launch of the research initiative, the Special Adviser to the Yobe State Governor on Science, Research, and Innovation, and Director of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC), Yobe State University, Dr. Mahmoud Bukar Maina stated that the team was in Bade community to investigate the root causes of the high prevalence of kidney disease in Gashua Town and other parts of the State.
Dr. Maina revealed that the research team will collect random samples of blood and urine from 2,000 households and will liaise with counterparts in the United Kingdom to address the underlying causes of kidney disease affecting different communities in the State.
Dr. Maina commended traditional, religious, and community leaders for their support, which facilitated the coordination of their constituents and contributed to the success of the ongoing research exercise.
Chairman Gashua LG AIbrahim Babagana Yurema
Expressing gratitude to the Research Team, the Council Chairman of Bade LGA, Hon. Ibrahim Babagana Yurema, extended his support and that of the Emir of Bade, Alh. Abubakar Umar Sulaiman, to the initiative.
While appreciating Governor Mai Mala Buni for funding the research of medical experts, the local government chairman revealed that six of his family members and thousands of Yobeans had died from chronic kidney disease despite undergoing dialysis.
He disclosed that the people of Gashua and its environs have been battling kidney disease for years and assured the research team of their full support in carrying out the exercise.
