Nigerians warned against painkiller abuse, untreated
A Nigerian neurosurgeon has warned the public against the indiscriminate use of painkillers and the neglect of chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. He identified these as primary drivers of the country's rising kidney failure rates.
Why it matters
Public health awareness regarding self-medication is critical in regions where access to specialized renal care is limited and expensive.
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja Chief Executive Officer of Wellington Clinics, Abuja, Charles Ugwuanyi, has warned Nigerians against indiscriminate use of painkillers and poor management of hypertension and diabetes, identifying them as major risk factors for kidney failure. Ugwuanyi, a neurosurgeon, also called for greater investment in specialist healthcare facilities to reduce the growing dependence on medical treatment abroad. He expressed concern over the burden of kidney disease in Nigeria, citing an estimate of 9,000 new cases of end-stage kidney failure monthly, although the figure could not be independently verified. According to him, hypertension and diabetes are among the leading causes of kidney damage, particularly when sufferers remain undiagnosed, neglect medical advice or fail to adhere to prescribed treatment. He also cautioned against indiscriminate consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen, indomethacin and naproxen, warning that prolonged or inappropriate use could impair kidney function.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in