Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital (ABUAD) has successfully performed 31 kidney transplants and provides over 400 dialysis treatments monthly. This is a huge achievement for kidney patients in Nigeria.
1. The Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital (ABUAD): A Glimmer of Hope
The Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital (ABUAD) in Ado-Ekiti is fast becoming a big center of hope for many Nigerians suffering from kidney diseases. For a long time, many patients had to travel out of Nigeria for special treatments like kidney transplants.
Now, with the hospital’s latest achievements, many people can get the help they need right here at home. This is a very important step in stopping Nigerians from spending so much money on medical trips abroad.
2. Why Are Kidney Transplants Important for Nigerians?
Many people in Nigeria have kidney problems that get worse over time. When the kidneys finally fail, a person needs either regular dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.
A kidney transplant is often the best option because it gives the person a chance to live a normal, healthy life again without having to go to the hospital for dialysis every few days. The fact that a Nigerian hospital is now doing a lot of these surgeries successfully is a big deal for the country.
3. A New Achievement: 31 Successful Kidney Transplants
ABUAD Hospital recently made a great announcement. The hospital, working with partners from India, has successfully performed 31 kidney transplant procedures.
This is a very impressive number, and it shows that Nigerian doctors and their partners can carry out complicated surgeries with a high level of safety and quality. All the procedures were done with the highest standards, and the outcomes were excellent in all the cases.
4. The Hospital’s Dialysis Center: A Life-Saving Hub
Before a person gets a kidney transplant, they often have to do dialysis. Dialysis is a treatment that helps to clean the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it. ABUAD Hospital has a state-of-the-art renal center with many modern dialysis machines.
The center is now one of the busiest in the country, and it does over 400 dialysis treatments every month. This means many people who are waiting for a transplant or who cannot get one can still get the life-saving treatment they need to stay alive.
5. Over 400 Dialysis Treatments Per Month
The number of dialysis treatments a month is a sign of how serious the kidney disease problem is in Nigeria. The fact that ABUAD is able to handle such a large number of patients shows that they have the right equipment and trained staff.
The hospital even has special machines for patients who have other diseases like hepatitis, which makes the treatment safer for everyone. The hospital’s goal is to make these treatments as affordable as possible.
6. How ABUAD Is Fighting Medical Tourism
Every year, many Nigerians spend millions of dollars traveling to other countries, like India and Dubai, to get medical help. This is called medical tourism. ABUAD was established to stop this trend by providing world-class medical services right here in Nigeria.
With its modern facilities, well-trained doctors, and successful surgeries like the kidney transplants, the hospital is helping to keep more of that money inside the country and making healthcare easier to get for our people.
7. Partnership with Indian Experts for More Success
The success of the kidney transplant program at ABUAD is a result of a partnership with a leading medical group from India called Marengo Asia Hospitals. This collaboration has helped to bring special skills and knowledge to Nigeria.
By working with foreign experts, ABUAD is not only saving lives but also training its own doctors to become experts in the field. This partnership shows the benefit of working with international partners to improve our own healthcare system.
8. The Role of ABUAD in Training New Doctors
As a teaching hospital, ABUAD has a very important role in training the next generation of doctors and nurses. The hospital's success with kidney transplants and its busy dialysis center provides a great environment for medical students to learn from real-life cases.
This helps to build the local capacity for disease control and advanced medical procedures, which is a great benefit for the whole country.
9. Help for the Indigent: Reducing the Cost of Care
One of the biggest problems for patients with kidney disease is the high cost of treatment. Many people cannot afford the frequent dialysis sessions or the very expensive transplant surgery.
ABUAD has a commitment to providing quality healthcare at a lower cost to people in the community. The hospital has also partnered with different groups to provide free medical services to people who are poor. This includes free heart surgeries and other health services to help the most vulnerable.
10. Challenges in Kidney Transplants in Nigeria
Even with the progress at ABUAD and other centers, there are still some challenges to kidney transplantation in Nigeria. One of the biggest problems is the cost, which can be over N14 million for a transplant, not including drugs after the surgery.
Other challenges include finding a suitable donor and the need for a national law to control organ transplants. However, the progress at ABUAD is a sign that with time and effort, these problems can be overcome.
11. The Future of Kidney Care at ABUAD
The future looks very bright for kidney care at ABUAD. The hospital’s success in transplants, its active dialysis center, and its commitment to helping the poor all show that it is a leader in this field.
As the hospital continues to grow and train more experts, it will surely save many more lives and provide hope for many Nigerians who are suffering from kidney diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does a kidney transplant last?
A transplanted kidney can last for many years, but it depends on many things, like the person's health and how well they take care of themselves.
Is the surgery painful?
The surgery is done with anesthesia, so the person will not feel any pain. After the surgery, doctors will give pain medication to help with any discomfort.
Can anyone be a donor?
No, not everyone can be a donor. A person must be in good health and have a matching blood type and tissue to the recipient.
What happens if a kidney transplant fails?
If a kidney transplant fails, the person will have to go back to doing dialysis.
How much does a kidney transplant cost in Nigeria?
The cost of a kidney transplant in Nigeria can be between N14 million and N30 million, depending on the hospital and other costs
What is the difference between dialysis and a transplant?
Dialysis is a treatment that uses a machine to clean the blood. A transplant is a surgery that puts a new, healthy kidney into the person's body.
The success of the kidney transplant program at ABUAD Hospital is a great example of progress in Nigeria’s health sector. By performing 31 successful kidney transplants and helping hundreds of patients with dialysis every month, the hospital is providing a real and lasting solution to a very big problem. This achievement is a sign of hope that with hard work and good partnerships, Nigeria can become a leader in healthcare and provide the best care for all its citizens.
Source:
Afe Babalola University Multi-system Hospital. (n.d.). Services. Retrieved August 30, 2025.