Lara Adejoro
The Federal Government has slashed the cost of renal dialysis for kidney patients by 20 per cent at key federal hospitals in eight states, including the Federal Medical Centre in Ebute-Metta, Lagos; the University College Hospital, Ibadan; FMC Owerri; and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, among others.
This initiative, part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector, was announced on Sunday by the Chief Medical Director of FMC Ebute-Metta, Dr. Adedamola Dada, and the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who previously served as the Minister of State for Health.
Dada shared the development via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“@FMC_EB (FMC Ebute-Metta) starts highly subsidised renal dialysis from today for those on dialysis courtesy of the PBAT Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector. The programme is available in all zones of the country.
“The cost of dialysis has been reduced to 20 per cent of the normal cost, courtesy of PBAT. This programme is available at FMC Ebute-Metta and other federal hospitals nationwide.”
Responding to the post, Alausa provided a list of participating hospitals, adding:
“In addition to FMC Ebute-Metta, the Federal Government has also subsidised renal dialysis treatment at UCH Ibadan, FMC Owerri, UMTH Maiduguri, FMC Abeokuta, LUTH Lagos, FMC Azare, UBTH Benin, and UCTH Calabar, among others.
“Nigerians can now visit these hospitals and access subsidised renal dialysis treatment! Many thanks to @officialABAT for fulfilling his promise to improve healthcare access for Nigerians.”
Renal dialysis is a lifesaving treatment that helps remove excess fluid and waste from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform these functions effectively.
A recent World Health Organisation study highlighted the growing burden of kidney failure globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where the demand for costly kidney replacement therapies poses a significant challenge to healthcare systems.
The study noted that kidney failure is often preventable through primary prevention of risk factors like hypertension and diabetes and the timely management of chronic kidney disease.
For those with kidney failure, treatment options include conservative care to manage symptoms and complications, kidney transplantation as a more permanent solution, and dialysis, which provides ongoing support but requires substantial resources.
The WHO emphasised the importance of balancing investments in kidney replacement therapies with broader efforts to address chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, and other pressing public health needs.
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