Two women’s dilemma with kidney disease

Kidney disease patients and their families usually face huge challenges managing the condition. Aside the physical, emotional  and psychological toll, most of them are often overwhelmed by the money required for treatment.  Treatment for kidney failure ranging from medication, dialysis and transplant among others are usually expensive and beyond the reach of most Nigerians. Hussaina […]

Kidney disease patients and their families usually face huge challenges managing the condition. Aside the physical, emotional  and psychological toll, most of them are often overwhelmed by the money required for treatment.
 Treatment for kidney failure ranging from medication, dialysis and transplant among others are usually expensive and beyond the reach of most Nigerians.
Hussaina Lawal Bello, 24 lives with her family in Bauchi. She was a student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi before she was diagnosed with kidney disease a year ago, and she needs to undergo a transplant at a hospital in India.
 According to her, her ordeal began when she started having high Fever and nausea. She was given medications but  didn’t feel better. She was later referred to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) from Al-Manzoor Diagnostic Center for proper care.
At the ATBUTH, her case was taken over by a Consultant Nephrologist, Dr. Lawal Suleiman.
After series of  dialysis she was recommended for a ‘Renal Transplant’ in India and a hospital ‘Medanta, the Medicity, Gorgon India was contacted by her doctor in a letter dated 22nd January, 2015.
 The Indian hospital in their reply to her doctor’s referral recommended another hospital, Artemis Hospita which specialises in ‘Renal Transplant’. The hospitals sent a bill of $30,000 for transplant, treatment and her stay which will take about two months and a follow up after six months.
Her brother, Abubakar Lawal ,who will donate the kidney will also be placed on medication after the donation to prevent developing any complication.
 According to Abubakar Lawal, the disease has forced his sister to abandon her studies at the university, and the family is having a hard time footing her medical bills.
"The money being spent on her dialysis alone at over 12,000 per session four times a month is N50,000 which is a great burden to a family with no stable income, but we thank Allah that she is still alive because most of the people she started treatment with are dead but she is still alive," he said.
 The family, according to one of the patient’s cousins, Aisha Alkali will appreciate any help that will assist Hussaina have the transplant in India. She said that they have already incurred some debts in the form of unsettled medical bills.
 She said that they had written to the former Bauchi State government for assistance at the tail end of the administration and they also wrote another letter to the present administration for assistance to enable Hussaina sister have the transplant in India.
Mrs. Maria Hamza, 52 lives in Karshi, a surburb of Abuja. She was diagnosed of kidney disease in November 2014, and has been on dialyses since then. She was having constant fever and vomiting and went to the Asokoro General Hospital.
 She said: “After series of test I was told that my two kidneys had failed. I was immediately transferred to Wuse District Hospital since the doctor that was supposed to attend to me in Asokoro was not available then. Since then, I have been battling to survive.”
“The doctor placed me on three sessions of dialyses per week but I can only afford once per week. I am just a teacher with the Abuja Municipal Area Council, my salary cannot handle it. Each session cost N20,000 making N60,000 in a week and N240,000 a month minus the cost of drugs. I am only able to do once in a week from the support I get from people,” she said.
Although the first option was for her to go for a transplant which is said to be less expensive than the cost of dialyses. Mrs. Hamza said she doesn’t have the money for the transplant.
"The cost of the transplant in 2014 when I was diagnosed was put at N8 million but with the increase in dollar rate it has increased to N10 million,”she said.
Mrs. Hamza said sometimes transporting herself  from Karshi to Wuse District Hospital is difficult because she doesn’t have money.
She said her brother is ready to donate one of his kidneys since they are compatible but the challenge remains the financial constraint.
Mrs. Hamza whose failed kidneys were linked to hypertension and diabetes appealed to Nigerians to support her financially so that she can go for the transplant.
Dr. Kwaifa Salisu, a consultant Nephrologist with the Wuse District Hospital, who has been managing Mrs. Hamza’s case since inception said “It is cheaper at the long run and gives the patient back his life. She has been able to get a donor but for the financial constrain. The transplant is the best option, cheaper and safer. She only comes when she has the money and this is not good for her state of health. She has been managing with drugs.”
He also said most of the patients do not have regular dialyses which is supposed to be thrice a week, adding, “we all know that the cost of dialyses here is borne out of pocket and one has to rely on personal financial strength, well-wishers and family, and that limits the procedure.”