Full list of states, universities launching new kidney transplant centres in Nigeria

Several Nigerian states and university-affiliated colleges of medicine are unveiling plans to establish kidney treatment and transplant centres.

IDOMA VOICE reports that both public and private hospitals have achieved remarkable success in kidney transplants, drawing international patients with about 20 percent coming from countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and India due to Nigeria’s affordable and flexible transplant processes.

At the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the Renal Unit has performed 22 kidney transplants on Nigerian patients since 2002. Dr Oluyomi Okunola, head of the unit, revealed that the cost per transplant has surged from N7 million to N25 million due to the naira’s depreciation against the dollar.

He urged government investment in renal care, including waiving import duties on essential medications and immunosuppressants, and recommended establishing a transplant centre in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, along with providing start-up grants, enhanced training, and improved pay for healthcare professionals.

In Kwara State, the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) recorded its first kidney transplant in November 2012, though no further updates have been reported since.

Meanwhile, in Borno State, Dr Babagana Kadai, the permanent secretary of the State Ministry of Health, confirmed plans to set up a kidney transplant hospital by upgrading the existing dialysis facility at the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri. The state also aims to expand dialysis services across Borno Central, Borno North, and the southern region, with the potential to transition these centres into full-fledged transplant facilities.

Ebonyi State’s David Umahi Federal University Health Sciences (DUFUHS) has begun offering free kidney dialysis and is poised to launch its Kidney Transplant Centre soon. Professor Jesse Uneke, the university’s vice chancellor, disclosed that ongoing research on kidney disease is paving the way to reduce medical tourism, while pro-chancellor Mr Adebayo Shittu envisions the institution evolving into a comprehensive centre for treating life-threatening conditions.

In Kaduna State, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) in Zaria is preparing to initiate kidney transplant surgeries in the first quarter of 2025. Although infrastructure challenges have delayed the start, the hospital has acquired the necessary equipment to commence the programme.

Further afield, the University of Jos (UNIJOS) in Plateau State has secured a N1 billion grant from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to collaborate with Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in launching a kidney transplant centre. JUTH’s chief medical director, Dr Pokop Bupwatda, mentioned that three patients were scheduled for surgery last year; however, the project faces hurdles, including the ongoing construction of a Tissue Typing Laboratory and challenges ensuring donor-recipient compatibility due to expired reagents. Management from both UNIJOS and JUTH is set to meet soon to outline the next steps, while Prof Chima Ofoha, director of the centre, cited the lack of a dedicated facility and high laboratory construction costs as significant obstacles.

Additionally, in Imo State, Commissioner for Health Dr Prosper Ohayagha hinted at forthcoming collaborations with the private sector to venture into specialised medical fields. Conversely, in Zamfara State, Dr Ibrahim Nakanka, Director of Medical Services/Hospitals, noted that no hospital in the state currently performs kidney transplants, with the only recent transplant having taken place at Usmanu Danfodio Teaching Hospital in Sokoto.