Implementation of the Federal Government’s subsidy on kidney dialysis has yet to commence at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
While the Management of the institution confirmed that some materials for the programme had been received, others have yet to arrive.
Our Correspondent who visited the facility reports that the Management of the FMC promised to start implementation of the subsidy once all materials were received.
The prevalence of chronic kidney diseases is becoming a significant area of concern in Nigeria and the world.
A study in 2023 indicates a prevalence rate of 17.8 per cent in Sub-Saharan Africa with about 77,000 deaths, an increase by 41.5 per cent in the last three decades.
In Nigeria, studies show a significant burden with a prevalence range of 11.4 per cent to 26 per cent and potentially up to 15 per cent of the population.
Worried by the situation, the Federal Government announced the introduction of subsidy on kidney dialysis in federal hospitals across the country with each session reduced from N50, 000 to N12, 000, that is a 76% reduction.
Checks at the Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa, one of the 11 institutions billed to benefit from the subsidy indicates that implementation has not commenced.
The Chief Medical Director of the FMC, Yenagoa, Dr. James Omietimi told Radio Nigeria that while some of the materials for the scheme had been received, others were still being expected, noting that power supply is the major challenge being faced.
Head of Clinical Services at the Centre, Dr. Gesiye Bozimo says the facility is looking forward to the implementation of the subsidy for kidney dialysis.
Head of Renal Unit, Dr. Ndu Victor stressed that with the rising cases of chronic kidney diseases in Bayelsa and adjoining States, the subsidy would help a lot of patients benefit from dialysis which is administered three times a week.
A Consultant Nephrologist at the Renal Unit, Dr. Ujah Terhide while commending the Federal Government for choosing FMC Yenagoa as one of the 11 institutions for the programme, expressed readiness to implement the subsidy once all materials are made available.
It is the hope of patients of chronic kidney disease and their families that implementation of the subsidy on dialysis would start soonest to relieve them of the huge financial burden they currently face.
Alambo Datonye, Bayelsa
