The Chairman of Bande Local Government Area in Yobe State, Hon. Ibrahim Babagana Yurema, has revealed that six of his family members died from chronic kidney disease despite undergoing dialysis treatment.
Hon. Yurema disclosed this when a medical research team investigating the rising cases of kidney disease in the area visited his office in Gashua, the Bade LG headquarters. He described the condition as a major health crisis, affecting many families in the community.
“Gashua is suffering from this serious problem. In my family alone, we have lost six members to this disease. Many residents of Bade Emirate, especially in Gashua town, have also lost loved ones. We are eager to support this research to uncover the causes and find solutions,” he stated.
He commended Governor Mai Mala Buni for funding the research, which involves medical experts, geologists, and specialists from Yobe State University’s Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC).
Researchers Begin Investigation into Kidney Disease Surge
Dr. Mahmoud Bukar Maina, Special Adviser to the Governor on Science, Research, and Innovation, and Director of BioRTC, led the research team to Bade. He explained that the study aims to identify the risk factors contributing to the high prevalence of kidney disease in the area.
“We are here to start the kidney research project funded by Governor Buni to understand the causes of increasing kidney-related deaths in Bade and other parts of Yobe State,” Maina said.
The team includes nephrologists, laboratory scientists, geologists, chemists, and eco-toxicologists, with international collaborators from the UK, US, and Ghana.
Maina urged community support as researchers collect blood and urine samples from about 2,000 participants across Bade and Damaturu LGAs. The study will examine environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors linked to the disease.
“This research is crucial to identifying the cause and preventing further loss of lives,” he added.
