Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, has allayed concerns over what appears to be a rise in kidney and cardiovascular diseases in the state, attributing the increase largely to greater health awareness, improved access to medical information and increased testing.
Ugwu explained that more residents are now paying closer attention to their health and voluntarily undergoing medical examinations, resulting in the detection of conditions that might previously have remained undiagnosed.
The commissioner spoke during a live interactive programme, The Conversation, aired on 100.3 Udoka FM, Enugu.
He, however, warned that unhealthy lifestyles, poor nutrition, obesity, physical inactivity and the indiscriminate use of medicines remain major risk factors for kidney and cardiovascular complications.
Ugwu urged residents to pay greater attention to their diets, particularly warning against excessive consumption of sugary, salty, oily, highly processed and packaged foods.
He encouraged residents to consume more locally produced foods, noting that many traditional Nigerian meals can provide better nutritional value than heavily processed alternatives when properly prepared.
The commissioner cited Ayaraaya oka, a traditional maize-based meal popular among the Nsukka people of Enugu State, as an example of a local food that can provide essential nutrients.
Ugwu expressed concern that some Nigerians increasingly equate expensive and highly processed foods with affluence and a good lifestyle, warning that excessive consumption can contribute to obesity and other health complications.
He advised residents, particularly those aged 40 and above, to monitor their calorie intake and maintain healthy body weight.
According to him, many people consume more food than their bodies require, increasing their risk of obesity and associated health problems.
Indiscriminate Drug Use And Kidney Damage
The commissioner also identified self-medication and the abuse of painkillers as significant threats to kidney health.
He cautioned residents against purchasing or taking medicines without appropriate medical advice, stressing that orthodox medicines should be obtained from credible sources and used strictly according to prescribed dosages.
Responding to concerns about herbal medicine abuse and the circulation of counterfeit orthodox drugs, Ugwu said the two issues should not be regarded as alternatives.
He explained that the Enugu State Government was working to strengthen the regulation of medical products and healthcare facilities while developing a system that would enable medical supplies to be sourced directly from manufacturers.
Ugwu said the state was working towards ensuring that medical supplies were obtained directly from manufacturers as part of efforts to improve the safety and quality of medicines available to residents.
He acknowledged that regulation remained a major challenge in the health sector but said the Ministry of Health was intensifying efforts to ensure that healthcare facilities and medical products comply with established standards.
The commissioner also highlighted the role of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in combating counterfeit medicines, including the use of verification codes on some pharmaceutical products.
He urged residents to adopt healthier lifestyles, avoid self-medication and seek professional medical advice whenever necessary to reduce the risk of kidney and cardiovascular complications.
Comments
Join the conversation and share your thoughts.
Login Required
Please login to join the conversation and post a comment.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this story.