The Senate adopted a resolution aimed at providing comprehensive health insurance packages for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Nigeria. The motion, brought forward by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua of Katsina Central Senatorial District, highlighted the need for increased awareness and enhancement of kidney treatment facilities across the country.
Senator Yar’adua’s motion, presented on “World Kidney Day,” underscored the critical challenges faced by kidney disease patients in Nigeria. He emphasized that empirical evidence shows more than 25 million Nigerians are afflicted with chronic kidney disease, with inadequate attention due to the high cost of treatment.
According to the senator, chronic kidney disease accounts for about 40% of referrals to tertiary hospitals in Nigeria and significantly contributes to daily hospital admissions. He noted the financial burden on patients, citing the cost of dialysis sessions ranging from N20,000 to N50,000 per session, which often leads to low adherence rates.
The motion highlighted the financial unattainability of kidney transplantation for many, with costs exceeding N6,500,000. The existing limited coverage for CKD patients under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was also noted, emphasizing the necessity for expanded insurance coverage to support their treatment.
Following deliberations by senators, the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, sustained the prayer that the Federal Ministry of Health, along with other relevant ministries, should implement infection prevention training and supervision protocols to safeguard patients with Chronic Kidney Diseases.
