A landmark initiative to ease the financial burden of kidney dialysis for Nigerians has been approved by president Tinubu, with the cost of treatment slashed from N50,000 to N12,000. This significant subsidy, aimed at improving access to life-saving healthcare, is being rolled out across federal medical institutions in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The programme is designed to support patients requiring dialysis by making treatment more affordable. State governors have been urged to back this initiative to ensure its success and broaden its reach. The move has been hailed as a vital step towards addressing healthcare inequalities, particularly for those grappling with the high costs of managing chronic kidney conditions.
Among the participating institutions are the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Ebute-Metta in Lagos, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi in Abuja, the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) in Maiduguri. Other key facilities include the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abeokuta, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Lagos, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Azare, and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Benin.
This subsidy is expected to bring relief to thousands of Nigerians, ensuring that more people can access critical dialysis treatment without facing crippling financial strain. Healthcare professionals and patients alike have welcomed the initiative, with hopes that it will pave the way for further reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
