By Patrick Idowu
In a major relief for kidney disease patients, the Federal Government has announced an 80% subsidy on dialysis treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Tuesday during the commissioning of a new clinic service building and ward centre at the hospital.
He emphasized that the initiative aims to make dialysis more accessible and affordable, aligning with the government’s broader healthcare reforms.
“This subsidy program, launched in 2024, is already in place in 10 selected federal tertiary health institutions, and FMC Jabi is now a strong candidate to join,” Salako stated.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare, a key pillar of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (HSRII), which supports President Bola Tinubu’s vision of healthcare as a fundamental right.
Salako further highlighted the administration’s investments in strengthening tertiary healthcare, reducing the need for Nigerians to seek critical medical procedures, such as kidney transplants, abroad.
Meanwhile, FMC Abuja’s Chief Medical Director, Saad Ahmed, revealed that the newly inaugurated facility will enhance healthcare delivery, housing a dialysis and transplantation centre, pathology laboratories, and additional patient wards to ease hospital congestion.
He also announced the acquisition of a neurosurgical operating microscope to improve brain surgery services.
The subsidy initiative marks a significant step toward easing the financial burden of chronic kidney disease patients while bolstering Nigeria’s healthcare capacity.
