Medical experts are raising alarm over a surge in kidney failure among young Nigerians, citing misdiagnosis, lifestyle changes, bleaching creams, and climate change as major risk factors.
LAGOS — Nephrologists have raised concerns over a surge in kidney disease among young Nigerians, warning that misdiagnosis, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors are worsening the crisis.
Tobi Adedeji, 35, was repeatedly treated for malaria before doctors discovered his kidneys had failed. Despite undergoing dialysis, he later died. His brother, Seyi, told Sunday Telegraph: “We didn’t know the issue he had until it was late. If he had died before we discovered his actual problem, we would have concluded that he died of malaria.”
Experts say Adedeji’s case is not isolated. According to Dr. Onyekachi Ifudu, many patients present late with advanced kidney disease: “Most never had the opportunity to be evaluated by a kidney specialist to search for an underlying cause that may be treatable.”
Nephrologists link the rising cases to hypertension, diabetes, painkiller abuse, bleaching creams, and climate change-induced dehydration in the North. Prof. Baba Goni Waru of Yobe State University Teaching Hospital noted: “Temperature could range 40° to 45°C…if water is not replaced, it will create a stress on the kidney and can lead to chronic failure.”
The Federal Government recently slashed the cost of dialysis from N50,000 to N12,000 per session in selected hospitals. However, nephrologists warn children are excluded, still paying up to N50,000.
Prof. Olugbenga Awobusuyi, President of the Nigerian Association of Nephrologists, added: “Many children are coming down with hypertension. It is mainly caused by kidney disease.”
Experts advise early checkups, reduced salt intake, regular exercise, and caution against unprescribed drugs and harmful skin creams.
With over 25 million Nigerians affected, doctors are urging government to expand subsidies and insurance to cover all patients.