A team of researchers from Federal University Duts hàve gotten 36 million naira research grant from TETfund to investigate rampant cases of Kidney diseases in Hadejia valley through the national research fund
The Lead Researcher, Dr. Muhammad Isa Auyo, Head of Department of Biological Sciences of the university made this known to newsmen in Dutse.
He said he picked interest in the research after losing six friends and family members to kidney failure in Hadejia.
According to him, the title of their research is Rampant kidney diseases in Hadejia Valley,Yobe and Kano state: The Study of Environmental Toxins and Gene Polymorphism.
Dr. Auyo said that the study would find out whether there are prevalence of gene called melallothionine 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 result of use of chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides which may have change the ecosystem over the years.
He pointed out that, these chemicals may have affected the food chain especially crops, water and fishes consumed by the people which may have been responsible for the high prevalence of the kidney diseases in the area.
He 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 member multi disciplinary research team is divided into Medical team, Environmental team,Genetic team, and DNA sequencing team.
Dr Muhammad Isa Auyo however added that the research was for 2 years and their findings would come with recommendations.
USMAN MZ