The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) has performed a second successful kidney transplant, fifteen years after the first transplant in 2010.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UMTH, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Ahidjo promised free kidney transplants to the first 20 patients on the list and commended the federal government for subsidising dialysis. Patients pay N12,000, less than $8, as against $1000 billed elsewhere.
He said, “This is not the first time UMTH has done a transplant. The first time UMTH conducted a kidney transplant was in August 2010, and now the hospital has come back with full force to resume the exercise.”
He said UMTH has the largest kidney centre in the country, with about 85 beds.
“UMTH has four fully equipped theatre rooms, all for kidney transplant, which are fully equipped with modern equipment,” Ahidjo said.
He also commended the former chairman of TETFUND for his support of the hospital and expressed gratitude to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his maximum support.
He added that Gov Zulum also supported the hospital with a special grant of N50 million for research on the causes of Kidney diseases in the State. According to findings, these diseases were likely the result of diabetes, hypertension, and dehydration from the excessive heat in the State. He encouraged residents to drink adequate water during the heat season.
“The causes of Kidney issues for now are diabetes, high blood pressure, and the exact causes are not yet known, but many samples were taken to laboratories, and the result is awaited,” he said.
He said an individual unknown to the hospital paid N15 million for three patients. He also stated that 20 more Patients require kidney transplants. He then called on the general public and good-spirited individuals to redirect their support to transplant the remaining 20 Patients.
Dr Hasan Muhammed Dogo, who performed the successful kidney transplant on the patient alongside Prof Muhammed Gadam, Prof Haruna Ngadda, Dr Ahmed, Dr Zanna, and Prof Sani Hasan, said the team conducted the transplant between 20 and 22 May within the hospital.
Dr Dogo, the team leader, said the transplant was successfully conducted because of the support of the CMD and all the other support they got from the individuals. He said everything was prepared inside the UMTH.
