The Yobe State Government has disclosed that it spends N360 million annually to provide free dialysis treatment for kidney failure patients across the state. This revelation was made by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Baba Malam Wali, who emphasized Governor Mai Mala Buni’s commitment to addressing the growing health crisis.
As part of efforts to determine the root causes of kidney disease, the government has collected over 2,000 blood and urine samples, along with 500 samples of soil, water, fish, vegetables, and other food items in Bade and Damaturu Local Government Areas.
The Special Adviser on Science, Research, and Innovation, Dr. Mahmoud Bukar Maina, who also serves as the Director of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC), made this known during a courtesy visit to the SSG. He stated that the research is part of the first phase of the investigation, with a second phase set to focus on patients already diagnosed with kidney disease.
Governor Buni has been at the forefront of addressing the crisis, leading a delegation to the London School of Hygiene to initiate the research project.
Meanwhile, Yobe State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muhammad Lawan Gana, commended the government’s investment in kidney research, describing it as a rare commitment to public health. He noted that many governments overlook medical research, but Yobe is setting an example.
The Chief Medical Director of Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Baba Waru Goni, also praised the state’s dedication to improving healthcare, calling it a lifeline for affected residents.