Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Monday, recorded another milestone in its quest for solution to kidney diseases as it performed its 11th kidney transplant.
A source at the hospital, told Ikengaonline that all the kidney transplants so far conducted by the hospital since the inception of the programme in 2017, had recorded 80% success.
Consultant nephrologist and the immediate-past Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Abia State chapter, Dr Chimezie Okwuonu, told newsmen in Umuahia, that kidney transplant programme of the hospital had been a huge success since it began.
According to him, kidney transplant programme in the hospital was initiated by the former Chief Medical Director, CMD, Dr. Chukwu Abali, in December 2017 with surgeries performed in collaboration with University of Toledo Medical Centre Ohio, USA.
He said the latest successful case was performed on a 68-year-old diabetic and hypertensive patient.
“The patient suffered from end-stage kidney disease and has been on dialysis at Beatitudes Mediplex and Kidney Centre Umuahia,” Okwuonu said.
Dr Okwuonu a key member of the transplant team, commended the management of FMC especially the current CMD, Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi, for the uncommon passion and support for the programme.
“This programme has received tremendous support under the leadership of the current CMD,” he said.
“The hospital is very much poised to continue kidney transplantation despite the numerous challenges confronting the programme which include manpower drain, out-of-pocket payment by patients and need for more equipment for kidney transplant,” he said.
“Sustaining Kidney Transplant in our public institution is not easy but we are determined to continue the surgeries and patient care with the support of the board and management of FMC Umuahia which we have,” Okwuonu added.
The Consultant Nephrologist called on kidney disease patients in the South-East to come to the hospital for solution instead of seeking medical attention abroad which is usually very expensive, and some times unsuccessful.
Adding his voice, Director of the programme, Dr Nosike Erondu, called on patients with end-stage renal disease to take advantage of the kidney transplant programme of FMC Umuahia to have a new life.
The Director expressed the readiness of his team to render efficient and quality services that could be got in any best hospital in the world.
Ikengaonline reports that FMC Umuahia is gaining popularity in kidney treatment since 2017 when it recorded its first successful kidney transplant.
