Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, has attributed the perceived rise in kidney and cardiovascular diseases in the state largely to increased health awareness, improved access to medical information and more frequent testing, while warning residents against unhealthy lifestyles, self-medication and indiscriminate use of herbal preparations.
Ugwu made the clarification on Thursday during The Conversation, a live interactive programme on 100.3 Udoka FM, Enugu, where he urged residents to adopt healthier lifestyles and seek professional medical advice rather than resorting to self-diagnosis and unregulated medication.
According to him, the apparent increase in cases does not necessarily mean that the diseases are spreading at the rate being perceived, as more residents are now conscious of their health and undergoing medical examinations, thereby uncovering conditions that previously went undetected.
The commissioner, however, identified poor nutrition, obesity, physical inactivity and indiscriminate use of medicines as major risk factors for kidney and cardiovascular complications.
He particularly warned against excessive consumption of sugary, salty, oily, highly processed and packaged foods, advocating greater reliance on locally produced meals.
Ugwu cited Ayaraaya oka, a traditional meal made from mashed maize and popular among Nsukka people, as an example of a local food that can provide essential nutrients when properly prepared.
He expressed concern that some Nigerians increasingly equate expensive and highly processed foods with affluence, warning that excessive consumption could contribute to obesity and other health problems.
The commissioner urged residents, particularly those aged 40 and above, to monitor their calorie intake, maintain healthy body weight and reduce excessive consumption of food and alcohol.
He also raised concern over the eating habits of young people, particularly students who rely heavily on noodles and other convenience foods without adequate vegetables, proteins and other essential nutrients.
According to him, ignorance rather than poverty is sometimes responsible for poor dietary choices, as some people spend substantial amounts on snacks and junk food while overlooking healthier and more affordable alternatives.
Ugwu also encouraged residents to engage in regular physical activity, stressing that exercise remains an important component of preventing lifestyle-related diseases.
Self-medication, painkillers threaten kidney health
The commissioner identified indiscriminate use of medicines, particularly self-medication and prolonged abuse of painkillers, as another major threat to kidney health.
He urged residents to obtain orthodox medicines only from credible sources and use them strictly according to professional medical advice and prescribed dosages.
On the growing abuse of herbal preparations amid concerns over fake orthodox medicines, Ugwu cautioned against treating herbal and pharmaceutical drugs as alternatives without considering their safety and regulation.
He disclosed that the Enugu State Government was working to strengthen the regulation of medical products and facilities while developing a system for sourcing medical supplies directly from manufacturers.
The commissioner said the state was “driving towards ensuring that all medical supplies are gotten directly from the manufacturers,” describing the initiative as part of efforts to improve the quality and safety of medicines available to residents.
He acknowledged that regulation remained a major challenge in the health sector but said the Ministry of Health was intensifying efforts to ensure compliance with required standards.
Ugwu also highlighted the role of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in the fight against fake medicines, including the use of verification codes on pharmaceutical products.
He advised residents to patronise authorised medicine outlets and consult healthcare professionals before taking medication, particularly warning against the common practice of purchasing over-the-counter drugs without medical advice.
The commissioner further cautioned residents against comparing regulated pharmaceutical products, which undergo research and clinical testing before approval, with herbal preparations whose ingredients, dosage and safety profiles may not have been adequately established.
Mbah’s health investment deliberate — Commissioner
Ugwu also reiterated Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to transforming healthcare delivery and expanding access to quality and affordable medical services across Enugu State.
He said the administration’s investment in healthcare was deliberate and driven by the understanding that a healthy population was essential to the development of every other sector.
“The Peter Mbah administration is very intentional about health because he’s a leader that cares. The governor understands that for every other sector of the economy to grow, you must have a healthy population of both old and young residents,” Ugwu said.
He said the government’s investment spans the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of healthcare.
“That’s why, from the primary to the secondary as well as the tertiary levels of healthcare, you can see the massive investment being made by this administration,” he said.
Ugwu disclosed that ultramodern Type-2 hospitals were being constructed across the state’s 260 political wards, while major tertiary institutions were also receiving significant investment.
“That’s why ultramodern Type-2 hospitals are being built in each of the 260 political wards of the state, just as ESUT Teaching Hospital, Park Lane and the SUMAS Teaching Hospital, Igbo Eno, are experiencing massive investments,” he said.
He added that the World-Class Enugu International Hospital would soon be commissioned, while several general hospitals across the state were also being upgraded.
“You can see that health is only second to education in Enugu’s consecutive annual budget,” Ugwu said.
According to him, the administration’s objective goes beyond reducing medical tourism to positioning Enugu as a major healthcare destination while ensuring that residents can access quality treatment without prohibitive costs.
“What the Mbah administration is trying to achieve is not only to end medical tourism or to make Enugu the medical hub for Africa, but also to ensure affordable access to healthcare,” he said.
Ugwu therefore urged residents not to panic over reports of an increase in kidney and cardiovascular diseases, but to take advantage of the healthcare infrastructure being developed by the state government.
“I therefore call on ndi Enugu not to panic over the perceived rise in kidney and cardiovascular diseases, but rather to take advantage of the health facilities being put in place by the government,” he said.
‘Poverty not an excuse for self-medication’
Addressing concerns about whether poverty could discourage residents from consulting doctors, Ugwu acknowledged that some patients might struggle to afford subsequent treatment but maintained that qualified medical professionals should remain their first point of contact.
He said even where a patient could not immediately afford further treatment, an initial professional consultation could provide valuable guidance and prevent potentially dangerous self-medication.
He consequently advised residents against commencing treatment with self-prescribed drugs or embarking on indiscriminate laboratory tests without professional guidance.
Children also at risk
Also speaking on the programme, Dr. Okoro Chizaram, a medical doctor and public health advocate, dispelled the perception that kidney and cardiovascular diseases are exclusively adult conditions.
Chizaram explained that children could also develop the diseases, either through inherited conditions or complications arising from other illnesses.
He identified infections, including some skin infections and sore throat, malaria, malnutrition and severe dehydration among possible triggers of kidney complications in children.
He warned that poorly treated or neglected illnesses could sometimes result in serious kidney complications, urging parents and caregivers to seek medical attention when children exhibit unusual symptoms.
Chizaram also advocated balanced nutrition, adequate hydration, physical activity, appropriate treatment of infections and regular medical checks where necessary.
Callers seek tighter food regulation
The programme also attracted reactions from listeners, many of whom commended the health professionals and the station for providing what they described as timely public health education.
Some callers, however, urged the government to strengthen monitoring of food products, raising concerns over the alleged circulation of adulterated palm oil and artificially ripened fruits in markets.
They called for tighter regulation and monitoring of food products while urging consumers to exercise caution when purchasing food items.
The experts subsequently encouraged residents to become more deliberate about their diets, medication practices and physical activity, stressing the importance of early detection, professional medical advice and sustained public health education in reducing preventable kidney and cardiovascular complications.
