*Warns Against Certain Culinary Habits
By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof George Ugwu, has allayed concerns over a perceived rise in kidney and cardiovascular diseases in the state, attributing the apparent increase largely to greater public awareness, improved access to health information and increased testing.
Prof Ugwu said more people were now becoming conscious of their health and presenting themselves for medical examinations, thereby making cases that might previously have gone undetected more visible.
The Commissioner spoke during a live interactive programme, The Conversation, aired on 100.3 Udoka FM, Enugu.
He, however, warned that unhealthy lifestyle choices, poor nutrition, obesity, physical inactivity and indiscriminate use of medicines remained significant risk factors for kidney and cardiovascular complications.
The Commissioner urged residents to pay greater attention to what they eat, particularly warning against excessive consumption of sugary, salty, oily, highly processed and packaged foods.
Prof Ugwu advocated a return to locally produced foods, noting that many traditional Nigerian meals were nutritionally superior to some heavily processed alternatives.
He cited ‘ayaraaya oka’, a local meal made from mashed maize and common among the Nsukka natives of Enugu State, as an example of a traditional food capable of providing several essential nutrients when properly prepared.
The Commissioner expressed concern that some Nigerians increasingly associate expensive and heavily processed foods with affluence and good living, stressing that excessive consumption could contribute to obesity and other health complications.
Prof Ugwu advised people, particularly those aged 40 and above, to become more conscious of their calorie intake and maintain a healthy body weight, saying many people consumed more food than their bodies required.
He added that people who had attained some level of financial stability often became more exposed to excessive eating, alcohol consumption and other unhealthy lifestyle habits without fully appreciating the adverse health consequences.
The Commissioner also expressed concern over the eating habits of young people, especially students, who rely heavily on noodles and other convenience foods without incorporating vegetables, proteins and other essential nutrients into their diets.
He said the societal health challenge was not always poverty but also ignorance, noting that some people spent considerable amounts of money on snacks and other junk foods while neglecting healthier and more affordable meals.
Prof Ugwu further urged residents to engage in regular physical activity, stressing that exercise was an important component of preventing lifestyle-related diseases.
Drug Abuse And Kidney Damage
The Commissioner also identified indiscriminate use of medicines, particularly self-medication and abuse of painkillers, as another serious threat to kidney health.
He cautioned residents against purchasing and taking medicines without appropriate medical advice, stressing that orthodox medicines should be obtained from credible sources and used according to prescribed dosages.
Responding to a question on the abuse of herbal medicines amid concerns over the circulation of fake orthodox drugs in the country, Ugwu said the two issues should not be treated as alternatives.
He said the Enugu State Government was working towards strengthening the regulation of medical products and facilities while also developing a system through which medical supplies could be sourced directly from manufacturers.
According to him, the state was “driving towards ensuring that all medical supplies are gotten directly from the manufacturers,” describing the model as part of efforts to improve the safety and quality of medicines.
