The Federal Government has approved a significant subsidy on kidney dialysis in federal hospitals across Nigeria, reducing the cost per session from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000—a 76% cut aimed at easing the burden on patients battling kidney disease.
The initiative, rolled out in January 2025, covers 11 federal hospitals across the country’s six geopolitical zones. The designated facilities include:
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi
- Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute-Metta, Lagos
- FMC, Jabi, Abuja
- University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan
- FMC, Owerri
- University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri
- FMC, Abeokuta
- Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos
- FMC, Azare
- University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin
- University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar
The program was officially launched at ATBUTH in Bauchi, where the Federal Ministry of Health supplied a new dialysis machine and over 900 dialyzers to sustain the intervention.
According to Hammatu Haruna, Manager of the Renal Centre at ATBUTH, the reduction has brought immense relief to patients who previously struggled to afford treatment. “Patients are now paying only ₦12,000, and they are very happy with this initiative. We have seen remarkable improvements in their conditions,” she said.
She explained that before the subsidy, many patients either sold off their belongings to cover treatment costs or abandoned care altogether, worsening their health conditions. Since January, about 35 patients at the Bauchi centre alone have already benefited.
Health authorities say the intervention is timely, given the rising cases of kidney failure across the country. In response, the Yobe State Government has set up a multidisciplinary investigation team—comprising nephrologists, chemists, lab scientists, ecotoxicologists, and geologists—working alongside international experts to study the growing cases in Bade and Damaturu Local Government Areas.
Officials note that the federal subsidy represents a lifeline for thousands of Nigerians who require regular dialysis, a treatment often needed multiple times a week.
Key Highlights
Cost reduction: Dialysis session fees reduced from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000 (76% subsidy).
Coverage: Implemented in 11 federal hospitals across all six geopolitical zones.
Launch point: Officially started at ATBUTH, Bauchi in January 2025.
Initial impact: Over 35 patients at ATBUTH have already benefited; dialysis machines and consumables supplied by the Federal Ministry of Health.
Broader context: The initiative comes amid rising kidney failure cases in Nigeria, with states like Yobe launching investigations
