The Kidney Foundation for Africa is a non-governmental non-profit making, organization founded to explore ways and means of reducing morbidity and mortality due to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and kidney failure. CKD is prevalent worldwide.
The two major causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure. CKD leads to progressive loss of kidney functionand ends in kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life.
This is at massive costs to individuals, particularly in a country like Nigeria. Therefore, prevention, early detection, awareness creation, support and counseling for patients and their families, align with the short-term goals of the Foundation. In the long term, we hope to explore the possibility of rendering healthcare facilities in a cost effective manner, plus funding research into the causes, prevention and management of CKD.
I was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Failure in the UK in August 2007. My initial reaction was the thought “this doesn’t happen to people like me!”. In reality, it can happen to any and everybody – children or adults alike. Life for me in kidney failure was that of isolation, depression and hopelessness with the foreboding thought of impending death round every corner. I went through the pains and gains of dialysis – it kept me alive: and late, went on to experience the exhilarating freedom and release which a Kidney transplant gives. At the moment I am undergoing post transplant care and management, which is also very delicate and equally expensive.
I spent a total of 8 months in a kidney hospital in India with about 200 other patients including Nigerians, Kenyans, Ghanaians and of course Indians, all in various stages of management and another 100 millling in and out of the hospital on a daily basis as outpatients. I went through it all: I saw it all, I am therefore in a good position to set up this Foundation, I have received so much; I would just like to give a little back to society God being my helper.
I appeal to you to give us the support we need, financially or otherwise, to enable us achieve these objectives in our quest to save lives.
Late Dr. Bose Peters (Founder)