By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos.
A nephrologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, has decried the scarcity of kidney donors.
Mr. Olugbenga Awobusuyi, a Consultant Nephrologist, expressed this concern recently at a Press conference in Lagos where the management of LASUTH disclosed thast the hospital successfully carried out its second kidney transplant on a 38-year old male patient.
Awobusuyi who led the surgery team was satisfied that no complication arose from the operation.
“We hope that we can get donors so as to save the lives of many who are on the waiting list,” he said, stressing that many kidney patients are on dialysis awaiting donors to come to their rescue.
Moreover, he pointed out that it is cheaper to perform kidney transplant operations at LASUTH than to go on medical tourism overseas to do so.
Awobusuyi said that kidney transplant surgery costs between four and five million Naira at LASUTH, noting that it is more affordable when compared to what it costs elsewhere.
“Apart from being affordable,” the kidney health expert explained, “we ensure best practices in carrying out the surgery and all team members are well co-ordinated and experienced.”
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of LASUTH, Adewale Oke, in his remark on the occasion, described the successful kidney transplant surgery as another feat in the hospital’s quest to provide excellent healthcare services to the people of the state through home-grown professionalism.
Oke maintained that it is the policy of LASUTH to improve the standard of living in the state by means of excellent healthcare provisions.
Kidney transplant has come to stay in LASUTH, he remarked, asserting that it will save foreign exchange for Nigerians who opt to do it at home.
The Assistant Director, Nursing Services of the hospital, Modupe Shode, said the feat recorded in the kidney transplant surgery at LASUTH would bring hope to patients battling with kidney problems in the country.
