Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has tasked the legislative arm of government to enact a new bill to help people with kidney disease and also enact essential regulations to combat organ trafficking.
Obasanjo made the call, yesterday, during the 36th yearly general meeting and scientific conference of the National Association of Nephrology, with the theme, “Optimising Dialysis Therapy to Prolong Survival,” held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
The former President, while lamenting the high rate of kidney failure in Africa, however, urged the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to provide support for the patients and called on well-meaning philanthropists, foundations and Nigerians to collaborate in providing succour.
“I wish to acknowledge the role of NHIS in providing limited support for only six dialysis sessions, but I want to suggest a need for it to consider increasing the carrying capacity substantially as obtained in South Africa and Sudan.
“At this juncture, I want to call on well-meaning philanthropists, foundations and Nigerians to support in reducing cost or helping out with capacity development, equipment support and other means of providing succor,” he said.
