The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) has marked a major milestone in healthcare delivery by successfully performing its second living-donor kidney transplant, 15 years after its first in 2010.
The announcement was made by the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, at a press briefing on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
“UMTH conducted its first kidney transplant in August 2010. After years of building capacity and improving our infrastructure, we have now returned with full force to resume this critical service,” Prof. Ahidjo said.
20 More Patients Await Surgery, Appeal for Donor Support
Prof. Ahidjo revealed that 20 patients are currently admitted and awaiting kidney transplant surgery, underlining the growing demand for renal care in the region.
He appealed to philanthropists, NGOs, and the public to donate funds to support indigent patients, many of whom cannot afford the procedure despite the hospital’s efforts to subsidise the cost.
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“As a federal facility, we offer many services at no cost, and we’ve reduced dialysis fees to just ₦12,000 per session—less than $8—compared to over $1,000 in private settings,” he noted.
Largest Kidney Facility in Nigeria
Highlighting UMTH’s growing capacity, Ahidjo said the facility is now the largest in the country for renal care, with the infrastructure to accommodate 85 patients simultaneously.
The hospital boasts four fully equipped kidney transplant operating theatres, fitted with state-of-the-art equipment to meet international standards.
“We are positioning UMTH to deliver the most affordable kidney transplants in West Africa,” he said confidently.
Commendation for TETFUND, Zulum’s N50 Million Research Grant
The CMD expressed appreciation to TETFUND for equipping the hospital and upgrading its infrastructure, a move he said has made high-quality transplants and renal care possible.
He also commended Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for donating ₦50 million to fund research into the causes of kidney diseases in Nigeria’s North-East.
Preliminary research findings have linked the high prevalence of kidney disease in the region to diabetes, hypertension, and chronic dehydration.
UMTH Renews Hope for Affordable Renal Healthcare
With this successful transplant and increased capacity, UMTH has repositioned itself as a center of excellence in nephrology and transplant medicine, offering new hope to patients in the North-East and beyond.
Prof. Ahidjo concluded with a call to action, “We have the expertise, the facilities, and the will. All we need now is support from stakeholders and the public to ensure no patient is left behind due to financial constraints.”