Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe, the Chief Medical Director of Afe Babalola University Multi-System Hospital in Ado Ekiti, said he’s troubled by the fact that numerous Nigerians with kidney issues are contemplating overseas travel for medical treatment.
Ogundipe, who remains hopeful for these patients in the country, pointed out that obtaining treatment in Nigeria, not only cost-efficient but also grants patients the opportunity for post-transplant follow-up assessments and care.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, the CMD revealed that between September 15 and 17, 2023, AMSH accomplished six kidney transplants, bringing the total to 14 kidney transplants since October 2021.
However, Ogundipe appealed to the Federal Government to introduce policies that can tackle the healthcare sector’s challenges, including measures to stabilise the naira’s value against the dollar.
He said, ‘I can tell you that the six patients are doing fine and recovering well. All six patients are hale and hearty. Their donors have since returned home. Our hospital has stringent rules and procedures guiding it whenever people appear to donate to patients.’
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‘You don’t have to travel out of the country to get help in terms of kidney conditions. We want to let people know that when they feel there is no hope, there is hope here at AMSH.’
Ogundipe mentioned that the hospital, equipped with 16 dialysis machines and six modular theatres, continues to provide dialysis services to a large number of patients and perform a wide range of surgeries, just as it has been doing since its establishment.
Dr. Olusegun Aremu, the Nephrologist and leader of the Kidney Transplant Medical Team, voiced his distress regarding the escalating incidence of kidney ailments in individuals. He asserted that ABUAD Hospital’s mission was to end the practice of medical tourism for kidney transplants and was already working on solutions for this purpose.
Aremu, who pointed out that Nigeria finds itself within the top 10 nations facing a significant kidney challenge, emphasized the need for stakeholders to enhance their advocacy efforts in promoting preventive measures against kidney failure in society.
‘The issue of kidney failure is on the increase and I will say there is a need for us to intensify our efforts on health education. Also, we should have the habit of checking our health status regularly to detect early possible red flags.’
‘People should place value on their health by doing what is right always, taking a lot of water, reducing intake of salt and avoiding drug abuse. Also, those who have high blood pressure and diabetes should treat such vigorously,’ he noted.