Lagos State Government, through the Alimosho General Hospital, Igando joined the rest of the world  to mark the World Kidney Day recently with a free medical screening and awareness creation exercise as well as an enlightenment campaign on effective management of kidney related ailments.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Jane Bakare, a Nephrologist and Head, Department of Medicine at the Hospital, stated that kidney disease has become prevalent in our society and that it is an expensive ailment influenced by risk factors like Hypertension, Diabetes, HIV, Urinary Tract Infection and Obesity.

She said it has become necessary to intensify education of the populace about kidney-related diseases and how to prevent them,  adding that Alimosho General Hospital has enlightened its members of staff for effective management of the condition.

“We do not want our staff to die silently, nor suffer health gruesome experiences. These processes are with a keen move to detect causative factors and identify a condition known as Proteinuria – a condition where there is the presence of excess proteins in the urine”, Bakare declared.

On his part, Dr. Babatunde Olanrewaju a Consultant with the facility, said most sufferers indulge in habits that aggravate their status inadvertently, noting that “Women use mercury contained soap or body cream without pre-knowledge of the adverse effects on their kidneys”.

He asserted that regular annual medical check-up will help identify genetic problems and proffer effective management of symptoms before deteriorating into kidney disease.

“A habit of self-medication or over the counter drugs purchase without doctor’s prescription should absolutely be avoided”, he advised.

The highlight of the event was the health screening process, medical consultation and counselling with over four hundred personnel in attendance.