Enugu Health Commissioner Addresses Kidney Disease Awareness

On Monday, during a live interactive program titled “The Conversation” on 100.3 Udoka FM, Prof. George Ugwu, the Enugu State Commissioner for Health, discussed the rising awareness of kidney and cardiovascular diseases. He attributed this increase to improved public awareness, better access to health information, and more people undergoing medical examinations, which has made previously undetected cases more visible.

Ugwu warned that lifestyle choices, poor nutrition, obesity, physical inactivity, and the indiscriminate use of medicines are significant risk factors for these health complications. He urged residents to be mindful of their diets, particularly cautioning against excessive consumption of sugary, salty, oily, and highly processed foods.

He advocated for a return to locally produced foods, citing ‘Ayaraaya oka,’ a traditional meal from Nsukka, as an example of a nutritious option. Ugwu expressed concern over the association of expensive processed foods with affluence and advised individuals aged 40 and above to monitor their calorie intake and maintain a healthy body weight.