FUD receives N36 million grants to investigate high cases of kidney disease
Story from Dahiru SULEIMAN, Dutse
The Biological Sciences Department of the Federal University Dutse (FUD), Jigawa State has gotten an N36 million research grant from TETFUND to investigate the rampant cases of Kidney diseases in Hadejia valley through the national research fund.
The Lead Researcher, Dr Muhammad Isa Auyo who is also the Head of Department (HOD) of Biological Sciences of the university made this known to newsmen in Dutse.
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He said he picked an interest in the research after losing six friends and family members to kidney failure.
“The situation keeps on increasing as it escalates to even beyond the ancient city affecting its neighbouring local government areas such as Malam-Madori, Auyo, Kaugama, Kafin-Hausa, etc., claiming dozens of lives”
According to him, the title of their research is ‘Rampant Kidney Diseases in Hadejia Valley, Yobe and Kano States: The Study of Environmental Toxins and Gene Polymorphism’.
Dr Auyo said that the study would find out whether there is a prevalence of a gene called metallothionein which exposes people of Hadejia valley to kidney diseases.
He said the research also wants to investigate the environmental toxins present in the Hadejia Valley in the last 30 years as a result of the use of chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides which may have to change the ecosystem over the years.
The HOD pointed out that, these chemicals may have affected the food chain especially crops, water and fish consumed by the people which may have been responsible for the high prevalence of kidney diseases in the area.
Dr Auyo said the Hadejia Valley which starts from Zakirai up to Nguru and Gashua had the highest rate of kidney diseases in Nigeria.
He explained that they would take samples of soil, water, vegetables, cereals, fruits, fishes and meat every month for 20 months in order to detect the presence of heavy metals in these samples
According to him, the 16 members multidisciplinary research team is divided into the medical team, environmental team, genetic team, and DNA sequencing team.
Dr Auyo, however, added that the research was for 2 years and their findings would come with recommendations.
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