UMTH Resumes Kidney Transplant Services After 15-Year Break, Targets Affordable Care in West Africa
Fifteen years after conducting its first-ever living-donor kidney transplant, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) has successfully carried out a second procedure, marking a significant milestone in the hospital’s drive to revive advanced medical services in Nigeria’s North-East.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday in Maiduguri, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UMTH, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, confirmed the development and emphasized the hospital’s renewed commitment to making kidney transplant services accessible and affordable to Nigerians.
“This is not the first time UMTH has conducted a kidney transplant. The first operation took place in August 2010. Now, after years of preparation and upgrades, the hospital is back with full capacity to sustain the program,” Prof. Ahidjo stated.
Highlighting the growing demand, the CMD revealed that the hospital currently has 20 patients admitted and awaiting similar kidney transplant surgeries. He appealed to well-meaning individuals and organizations to support indigent patients financially, noting that many of them are unable to afford the cost of the life-saving procedure.
Although UMTH is a federally funded healthcare institution and offers subsidized medical services, the CMD acknowledged that significant expenses remain for patients.
“For instance, dialysis at our hospital has been heavily subsidized, with patients now paying just ₦12,000 per session—equivalent to less than $8—compared to the standard international cost of over $1,000,” he explained.
Prof. Ahidjo said the hospital’s long-term goal is to position itself as a leader in affordable kidney transplants, not just in Nigeria but across West Africa. “UMTH has the largest kidney care facility in the country, with the capacity to handle up to 85 patients at a time,” he noted.
He added that the hospital’s kidney transplant wing boasts four fully operational theatre rooms, each furnished with modern equipment that meets global standards for renal surgeries.
The CMD also expressed deep gratitude to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for providing critical infrastructure and equipment, which he described as instrumental in restoring UMTH’s surgical capabilities.
Additionally, he applauded Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, for his generous contribution of ₦50 million to the hospital. The donation, he said, is being used to support ongoing research into the root causes of kidney diseases prevalent in the North-East region.
Preliminary findings from the research, according to Prof. Ahidjo, suggest that diabetes, hypertension, and chronic dehydration are leading contributors to kidney-related ailments in the region. “Although the exact causes are still being studied, we have collected several samples and are awaiting lab results to deepen our understanding,” he said.
The CMD concluded with optimism, emphasizing that UMTH is not only resuming kidney transplant services but is also determined to provide top-tier care while addressing the socioeconomic realities of patients in Nigeria and beyond.