<strong>Senate advocates NHIS coverage for kidney diseases</strong>

The Senate, on Thursday, called on the Federal Government to expand its coverage the National Health Insurance Scheme to cover patients with chronic kidney disease.

It also urged the FG and other stakeholders to launch extensive public awareness campaigns on kidney disease prevention, risks and unavailable treatment.

The Senate’s resolutions were sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central) under personal explanation during Tuesday’s plenary.

In his presentation, Yar’Adua said recent statistics from the Nigerian Association of Nephrology revealed that 25 million Nigerians were living with kidney diseases.

He said, “Chronic kidney disease constitutes about 40 per cent of tertiary hospitals in Nigeria and is a significant contributor to daily hospital admissions.

“The cost of dialysis sessions in Nigeria ranges from 20,000 to 50,000 per session leading to low adherent rates due to financial constraints.

“The alternative to dialysis which is kidney transplant is financially unattainable for many with the cost exceeding N6.5m.