A Consultant Pathologist, Dr. Wale Ajala, has attributed the increase in kidney failure recorded amongst Nigerians to ‘indiscriminate’ consumption of herbal alcoholic drinks.
The Chief Executive Officer of Help Diagnostics and Checkup Services, Lagos, who condemned such phenomenon said regulatory agencies must check the safety of herbal alcoholic drinks, especially those distributed in sachets, describing them as “concoctions.”
His words, “Kidney failure is increasing by the day in Nigeria and renal dialysis is so expensive.
“The increase is coming from indiscriminate consumption of alcoholic drinks, mixed with different herbs that are produced in various forms and sachets.
“Checking the influx and safety of those herbal alcoholic drinks has become imperative; otherwise, many Nigerian youths risk chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease, because they consume these products the more,” he added.
Ajala spoke during a medical outreach to over 2,000 Mushin, Lagos, residents, organised by the Bunmi and Ajibola Healthcare Foundation, a non-governmental organization, in collaboration with the Help Diagnostics and Checkup Services.
The residents were screened for malaria, hypertension, diabetes, and hepatitis B, while free drugs were offered to those who tested positive to any of the ailments.
