The Managing Director of Polaris Bank, Mr Tokunbo Abiru, said the bank would continue to dedicate itself to the fight against Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) like kidney to keep Nigerians safe.
He made the pledge at a symposium organised by Renal Dialysis Centre to commemorate this year’s World Kidney Day at Ikeja, Lagos.
The day is celebrated every second Thursday of March annually with week-long activities dedicated to a global health awareness campaign focusing on the importance of the kidneys, its care and associated health challenges worldwide.
The event was sponsored by Polaris Bank with support of the Federal Ministry of Health and Lagos State Government.
Abiru said: “Our commitment as a bank to the fight against Non-communicable Diseases like kidney, is part of our contribution to society, especially to keep Nigerians safe and abreast of every information about kidney diseases, its management and care.
“The surge in cases of kidney failures and the challenges associated with patient’s seeking care and management of the disease is the reason we are partner with Renal Dialysis Centre to raise awareness, encourage prevention, detection and equitable access to care of kidney disease in Nigeria,” he said.
The bank’s CEO noted that the disease, which had proven fatal, was killing victims across all demographics.
He said: “According to World Health Organization (WHO) in low and middle income countries, the burden posed by such poverty related kidney disease is even greater because of associated infections, hazardous work, poor education and poor maternal health.”
The Chief Executive Officer, Renal Dialysis Centre, Dr John Okoh, commended Polaris Bank for partnering the centre and committing to the wellbeing of the poor and needy in the society.
He decried the high cost of kidney treatment, adding that most patients found it difficult to pay for dialysis.
“As part of the challenges facing kidney health in Nigeria, the cost of dialysis and kidney transplant is rather too high for middle income earners and everyday Nigerians who can barely afford it.
“We hope that organizations like Polaris Bank will join hands to help these patients,” he said.
The Director General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Prof. Babatunde Salako, advocated more collaborations from government and private sector on the need to provide facilities across the country.
“Once you are able to reduce the distance and provide quality service with more facilities, you are invariably improving the quality of life of patients leading to a gradual decline in the cost of dialysis in Nigeria,” he said.
Polaris Bank is a future determining bank committed to the delivery of industry defining products and services, across all the sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Bank has continued to extend its CSR initiatives to such areas as health and safety, education, social infrastructure, women and youth empowerment, environment, cultural and civic projects and sports.
