Kidney disease and the challenges of transplant at Uthman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital

Journalist Ahmed-BK and Professor Makusidi, right

*Prof Makusidi calls for Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara synergy

By Yakubu Ahmed-BK (Maibindiga)

A call has gone to the Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara state governments to collaborate and work closely in order to provide succor to the multitude of renal disease patients from the three states.

Professor of Medicine and Consultant Nephrologist at the Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto Professor Muhammad Aliyu Makusidi made this call when journalist and activist Yakubu Ahmed-BK (Maibindiga) paid him a courtesy visit in his office today.

Professor Makusidi noted that with close support and cooperation from the three state governments, the teaching hospital can begin to perform kidney transplant. He said that if this is achieved, the several cases of patients who have been diagnosed with end stage renal problem would be saved money and difficulties associated with movement to other hospitals across the country or around the world.

UDUTH, the respected Professor remarked, has all it takes to perform its first transplant only if the three states can provide the critical support base related to the teething problems that have impede efforts to launch the kidney transplant project.

In his own contribution, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK explained that since most of the kidney patients trooping into UDUTH for advanced treatment are indigenes of the three states, it behoves on the three governments to look at ways to support the hospital in order to deal with the challenges impeding the initiative.

“UDUTH is among the best advanced health centres in Nigeria and I am confident that with the support from the SOKEZA governments, patients who need kidney transplant would need not travel far. Time has come for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states to establish a SOKEZA COMMISSION to address their common problems through joint efforts and collaboration.

He said the three states have a lot in common in health, security, education, tourism and culture and only a joint effort through the establishment of a Commission can realistically address them. He asked the Sokoto state Governor, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to initiate a meeting with his counterparts from Kebbi and Zamfara to begin the process of establishing the Commission.