Ahmadu Bello University Hospital to start kidney transplantation in 2025

The Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria is set to begin kidney transplant operations in 2025, in a bid to provide relief to kidney failure patients and reduce medical tourism.

Professor Ahmed Umdagas, Chief Medical Director of the hospital, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria on Sunday.

He announced that the Center of Excellence in Urology, which will provide advanced urology services, is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2025.

“By the first quarter of 2025, ABUTH would start kidney transplantation. What was holding us back was some infrastructure. » said Umdagas.

He added that most of the required machinery and equipment are already in place and staff have been properly trained to provide the services.

Umdagas said the ABUTH Urology Center of Excellence would be ready by the first quarter of 2025 to provide high-quality urology services.

“By the first quarter of 2025, ABUTH will begin kidney transplants. What held us back were some infrastructure upgrades. he said.

He added, “In addition, most of the machines and equipment required for kidney transplants are available and our staff has been properly trained to provide these services. »

Accreditation wing for enhanced patient care

Umdagas also revealed plans for an amenity wing, designed to accommodate patients of all classes.

According to him, the amenity wing will include a single room and a bedroom and lounge option for affluent patients, stressing that ABUTH is committed to offering world-class services.

“The Amenity Wing will have a dedicated line and a website,” Umdagas explained. “The website will feature profiles of doctors at the hospital. When a patient wishes to consult a particular professor or specialist, they simply need to use the dedicated line or the website to make an appointment with ease.

Reduce costs of imaging services

Likewise, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) also revealed that a contract had been awarded for the purchase of linear machines to improve cancer care at the facility.

Speaking on further efforts to curb medical tourism, the CMD highlighted that ABUTH has a fully functional CT Scan 128 Slice machine.

He explained, “If you undergo an overseas investigation requiring a 128-slice scanner, it costs no less than $200, which is over N300,000. Meanwhile, ABUTH only charges N30,000 for the same service.

Advanced imaging and lithotripsy services

The CMD noted that many patients now come to ABUTH for examinations, take the results abroad and continue their treatments there.

“We also have 1.5 Tesla MRI and 0.2 Tesla MRI machines, which are advanced imaging technologies.. These machines are fully functional and the cost of these services at ABUTH is significantly lower than that charged elsewhere in Nigeria. , » he said.

He added, “We also perform lithotripsy at ABUTH, which involves breaking up stones using lasers rather than surgery. »

IVF Milestones and Future Plans

Umdagas further shared that the hospital has celebrated more than five successful IVF cases in collaboration with its partners.

He revealed plans to create a dedicated unit for IVF services in future budgets, ensuring all necessary equipment is housed in one facility.