BioRTC Launches Groundbreaking Kidney Disease Research in Yobe
By Tada Juthan, Maiduguri
The Biomedical Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) has commenced comprehensive research into kidney disease and failures in Yobe State.
Unveiling the Centre’s efforts on research, the BioRTC leader, Dr. Mahmoud Bukar Maina, yesterday, in Damaturu stated, “The research centre is working to address the prevalence of kidney disease in the state,’ particularly in Bade Local Council, comprising dozens of communities.
He noted that most of the kidney diseases are prone to communities located in the Kumadugu/Yobe River Basin. In starting the research, Maina said, “We’ve taken 1,000 blood and urine samples of residents,” as well as 300 samples of soil, water, fish, and vegetables, and other food items consumed daily in the Bade emirate.
Besides the sampling of blood, urine, and other staple foods, he explained that “this is part of an extensive study to accurately determine the root cause of kidney failure among residents of Bade.
Maina, who also serves as the Special Adviser on Science, Research, and Innovation to the governor, stated, “The ongoing research represents the first stage of the kidney disease research project.
According to him, the second phase of research will target individuals already diagnosed with the kidney disease for further analysis.While appreciating the cooperation of the people, Dr. Maina announced that the Centre has concluded the collation of data in Bade.
“The research team is proceeding to Damaturu, the state capital, for the next phase of research into the kidney disease,” he added. The emir of Bade, Alhaji Umar Suleiman, who commended Governor Mai Mala Buni for directing the Yobe State University (YSU) to conduct the research, noted that the people have been battling with rising cases of kidney failure for over a decade.
He said that the commitment of Dr. Maina and his research team will be greatly rewarded by God, as their names will be written in gold.
The Chief Medical Director, State University Teaching Hospital (YSUTH), Dr. Baba Waru Goni, also thanked the monarch for the continued support of healthcare initiatives in the state.
