Professor of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Obinna Onodugo, has urged Nigerians to seek early medical care for kidney-related conditions rather than attribute symptoms to spiritual attacks.
The professor gave the advice while delivering the 256th inaugural lecture of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), titled “Breaking the Chains of Myth: Kidney Disease, African Culture and Tradition”.
Onodugo, who is also the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), said between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of Nigerians, representing about 25 million people, were living with kidney-related illnesses.
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He said kidney disease was not a death sentence, but warned that delayed diagnosis and treatment could worsen patients’ conditions.
The CMD identified hypertension, diabetes, obesity, glomerular diseases, HIV and other infections, as well as genetic susceptibility, as major contributors to kidney diseases.
Onodugo explained that kidney conditions included Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), with the latter involving abnormalities of kidney structure or function lasting for at least three months.
He cited findings from a health mission conducted by his Ibibo Foundation in Abor, Enugu State, involving 1,941 participants, where 11 per cent of the participants had chronic kidney disease, while about 40 per cent were hypertensive.
He added that 70 per cent of those with hypertension were unaware of their condition.
According to him, hypertension accounted for 26 per cent of identified risk factors in the study, while obesity contributed 14 per cent.
The professor expressed concern over the use of nephrotoxic substances, including some traditional herbal preparations and locally produced alcoholic drinks, which could damage the kidneys.
He said cultural beliefs, financial difficulties and late presentation were among the factors affecting access to proper kidney treatment.
Onodugo explained that some people interpreted symptoms such as swollen legs as spiritual attacks or consequences of traditional practices instead of seeking medical attention.
He, however, cautioned against dismissing African traditions, saying the objective should be to address harmful practices without undermining cultural identity.
“Some traditional medicines may be efficacious, but they need proper study and research,” he said.
He called for greater cooperation between medical practitioners and traditional institutions to build public trust and encourage people to seek appropriate healthcare.
Onodugo urged traditional rulers to reconsider customary payments involving cartons of alcoholic drinks and encourage the presentation of books and educational materials instead.
He identified regular exercise, healthy diets and limited alcohol consumption as important measures for preventing kidney diseases.
The nephrologist also called for improved access to kidney care and stronger government policies, expressing concern over low health insurance coverage in Nigeria.
He said only about 10 per cent of Nigerians had health insurance coverage, compared with more than 80 per cent in developed countries.
Onodugo discussed genetic susceptibility to kidney disease, particularly the APOL1 gene, which, he said, was prevalent among many people in the South-East.
He explained that carrying the gene did not automatically mean developing kidney disease but could increase vulnerability when combined with other risk factors such as obesity, diabetes and drug abuse.
Earlier, the Chairman Senate Ceremonials Committee, Prof. Ozioma Onuzulike, in his remarks, described kidney as a vital organ and recalled how kidney-related issues had affected someone dear to him.
Onuzulike called on the Federal Government to adopt inaugural lecture publications to strengthen public health education and help address kidney-related illnesses.
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