Tuesday August 19, 2025
By The NewsDESK |
President Bola Tinubu has approved a major subsidy on kidney dialysis in federal hospitals, reducing the cost of each session from about ₦50,000 to ₦12,000.
The intervention, which took effect in January 2025, was first rolled out at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi before being expanded to 11 medical facilities across the six geopolitical zones. Beneficiary institutions include University College Hospital, Ibadan; Lagos University Teaching Hospital; University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; University of Benin Teaching Hospital; University of Calabar Teaching Hospital; Federal Medical Centres in Ebute-Metta, Jabi, Owerri, Abeokuta and Azare.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health, dialysis machines and more than 900 dialysers have been supplied to hospitals to support the programme. Reports indicate that at least 35 patients had already benefitted from the scheme by early March, with health workers noting that access to treatment has improved since the price slash.
Nigeria currently has about 230,000 people living with kidney disease, but only 354 functional dialysis machines nationwide. Before the subsidy, many patients either skipped treatment or sold personal belongings to raise funds for sessions. The reduction in cost is expected to ease financial hardship and encourage more patients to continue life-saving treatment.
Stakeholders in the health sector have described the initiative as a step forward in improving access to specialised care. However, they caution that the shortage of equipment and trained personnel remains a major challenge.