First Kidney Transplant Centre In South-East Launched In Nnewi

Worried about rising cases of kidney failures and related diseases, former Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Okey Chidolue has in Nnewi, Anambra State officially flagged off a multimillionaire health facility project, Premium Dialysis Hospital to be completed in twelve months.

Dr Chidolue said the philosophy of the health facility when completed was to touch as many lives as possible. He declared that kidney problem should not be seen as a death sentence.

Apart from providing solutions to health challenges of Nnewi residents and beyond, Dr Chidolue said that the hospital specifically located at Akwuogananya enclave, Edoji, Uruagu Nnewi would create employment opportunities for those in and around Nnewi community.

He noted that management of kidney disease and kidney failure was a daunting task that could not be successful without government and community support.

“Our project duration is twelve months and, when completed, will most likely be the largest kidney hospital in Anambra State and the first kidney transplant centre in entire Southeast. It will provide needed employment of skilled labour in our community and will significantly reduce medical tourism in Nigeria.”

“Kidney failure need not and should not be a “death sentence” in our community in this day and age. We must, therefore, join hands in fighting this scourge.”

This project is a private initiative; however, our community and government have major roles to play. And with Federal and State governments focus on specialized health administration, I strongly feel that we are in very good hands. And, since Anambra State is the light of the nation, we must be at the forefront of the new federal health direction”, Dr Chidolue said.

In his speech, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala commended Dr Chidolue for the initiative describing kidney infection as a killer disease which he said had already killed many in Nigeria.

He noted that private facilities as started by Chinedu was a right step in the right direction.

The event attracted prominent medical practitioners from both private and public health institutions including Professor Obi Nwosu and Dr Eric Azuka who was chairman on the occasion.

Others were the traditional ruler of Nnewi community, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III represented by the Crown Prince, Obi and all the Obis in Nnewi community

Credit: Independent