A kidney disease patient and former Kano State Judiciary staff member, Salisu Abdul, has appealed to the Kano State Government, politicians and wealthy individuals to support patients struggling with the rising cost of dialysis, medications and other medical expenses.
Abdul made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kano, where he highlighted the financial, emotional and family challenges associated with managing kidney disease.
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He said patients undergoing dialysis twice a week spend about N70,000, while those requiring three sessions weekly pay N90,000.
According to him, the financial burden extends beyond dialysis to include medications, medical tests, blood transfusions and transportation to health facilities.
“The illness consumes money and causes a lot of worry. Anyone who has not experienced it or has no close relative suffering from it may not understand the challenges,” he said.
Abdul added that patients must continue purchasing expensive medications even when they are not undergoing dialysis, making it difficult for many to sustain treatment.
He expressed concern over the increasing number of people seeking treatment, particularly at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), where he said hundreds of patients undergo dialysis.
“If you go to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), you will see hundreds of people suffering from the disease and undergoing dialysis,” he said.
The patient noted that some people from rural communities had been forced to sell their farms and other properties to raise money for treatment, while those living in Kano city spent between N5,000 and N6,000 on transportation alone.
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He said the situation was particularly difficult for married patients with families, explaining that the special dietary requirements of people living with kidney disease often differ from the meals prepared for other household members.
Abdul urged the Kano State Government to establish a dedicated support centre where kidney disease patients could register and access essential medications at subsidised rates.
He also called for government intervention to reduce the cost of dialysis and the insertion of central lines, which he said could cost patients close to N35,000.
He further disclosed that purchasing at least two units of blood could cost about N20,000, adding to the financial difficulties of patients who require blood transfusions.
Beyond financial assistance, Abdul called for sustained public awareness campaigns on kidney disease, its causes, risk factors and preventive measures.
He stressed that public education should be conducted regularly rather than being limited to the annual commemoration of World Kidney Day.
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“It is important to educate people about the causes of kidney disease and possible ways to prevent it.
“People who do not have the disease need to understand the dangers and how to reduce their risk,” he said.
