Wahala dey for North East Nigeria as kidney disease don turn to serious health problem. Health experts dey shout say if we no do something quick, the matter go worse pass wetin we dey see now. Na why North East Development Commission (NEDC) join hand with Nigeria Association of Nephrology to organise free test for Jalingo Main Motor Park. The event na part of World Kidney Day celebration for 2026.
Motorists, hawkers, food vendors, and even travellers wey dey wait for their buses all come check their kidney status. Alhaji Adamu Lawal, wey be Taraba State coordinator for NEDC, talk say dem choose motor park because drivers dey among high risk group for society. “We dey see plenty cases of kidney problems for North-East,” Lawal yarn. “Na why we carry awareness go meet people direct, make dem sabi the risks and how to avoid am.”
Dr Yerima Sulaiman, Chief Consultant Nephrologist for Taraba State Specialist Hospital, describe the situation as worrisome. Him talk say kidney disease cases don rise sharply for the state and whole Nigeria over the past few decades. “Years ago, kidney disease no dey common, but now, e don turn to one of the most common conditions for our hospitals,” Dr Sulaiman talk. Him identify hypertension, diabetes, dehydration and poor chop habits as main things wey dey cause kidney disease.
The expert warn say many Nigerians no sabi the danger to their health. Him blame excessive consumption of processed foods, abuse of seasonings and high intake of energy drinks, especially among commercial drivers. “E dangerous say some drivers dey drink more than 10 energy drinks for one day without understanding the consequences,” Dr Sulaiman warn. “These habits dey largely contribute to kidney damage.”
Jamila Sami Jibir, Nephrology Nurse for Taraba State Specialist Hospital Dialysis Unit, confirm say cases dey rise steady. “Before now, we dey see very few cases of patients with kidney disease, but now, we dey diagnose seven patients weekly,” Jibir talk. She caution people against indiscriminate use of drugs and herbal medicine, and urge residents to drink adequate water and go for regular check-ups.
One beneficiary, Sergeant G.Y. Abari, wey be retired military officer, talk say him hear the announcement for radio and come for checkup. “Yesterday morning, while I dey listen to my station, dem announce say make everybody come park for checkup, so I decide to come for my own checkup,” Abari yarn. Him commend NEDC for the timely intervention.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Talatu Babuzo, talk say she and others leave their farm after hearing public announcement for free health checks. “We dey farm when we hear the announcement say anybody wey no dey feel well should come check their health, na why we come,” Babuzo talk. She thank the organisers for the assistance.
The outreach na part of efforts to curb what health experts dey call “silent killer disease” for the region. Dr Sulaiman warn say without lifestyle changes and sustained awareness among people, kidney disease fit turn to silent epidemic for North East, with devastating economic and health consequences for affected families.
Meanwhile, separate matter dey worry Taraba State as National Union of Taraba State Students (NUTAS), University of Jos Chapter, don petition Taraba State government. Dem request immediate evacuation of students from areas affected by rising security challenges. The letter, signed by President Sankun Solomon Gam and Assistant Secretary-General Samuel Anyar Bawun Bente, talk say many students dey exposed to unsafe conditions.
For another development, three members of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) die for tragic motor accident while returning from outreach mission for Taraba State. The deceased include Mama Deborah Bonat, former ECWA Women Fellowship International leader; Rev. Habila Tagwai Kajan, former Zonzon DCC secretary; and Mama Lydia John. The accident happen near Lariski area of Bauchi State.
Health challenges no be only kidney disease matter. Lassa fever still dey worry Nigeria, with report say case fatality rate stand at 25.1 percent for this year outbreak. This one higher than 18.7 percent wey dem record for same period for 2025. Experts talk say roughly 85 percent of reported cases dey concentrate for just five states: Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, and Taraba.
The situation dey show how health challenges dey connect with poverty, weak infrastructure, and environmental pressures. As kidney disease dey rise for North East and Lassa fever dey worry other states, health experts dey call for better awareness, lifestyle changes, and government intervention to address these multiple health threats wey dey affect Nigerians.
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