Jun 30, 2026

ABUAD Hospital Hits 50 Kidney Transplants Milestone in Nigeria

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in health

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Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State - Afe Babalola University Multi-System Hospital (AMSH) in Ado-Ekiti has reached a significant landmark in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, successfully completing its 50th kidney transplant.

This achievement underscores the growing capacity for advanced, life-saving medical procedures within the country and offers renewed hope to patients facing end-stage renal disease.

In a press briefing held on Friday, June 26, 2026, Dr. Akinola Akinmade, Chief Medical Director of AMSH, described the milestone as far more than a numerical target.

“It represents 50 patients who have been given renewed life, 50 families that have been spared the prolonged burden of end-stage kidney disease, [and] 50 clear demonstrations that highly specialised care can be safely and successfully delivered here in Nigeria,” he stated.

The hospital performed its inaugural kidney transplant in October 2021, marking the first successful procedure in the Ekiti/Ondo axis.

That pioneering surgery, which lasted over five hours, saw the transplanted kidney functioning immediately in the theatre.

Since then, the renal programme has grown steadily under deliberate investment in infrastructure, training, and international partnerships.

By late 2025, AMSH had recorded 40 successful transplants, with outcomes comparable to leading international centres.

The programme has now crossed the 50 mark, reflecting consistent high success rates, strong multi-disciplinary teams, and robust clinical governance.

Founder Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, and university leadership have provided unwavering support, fostering a patient-centred culture that prioritises safety and excellence.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, has emphasised the institution’s role in curbing medical tourism through strategic investments and collaborations.

Alongside the transplant milestone, AMSH announced a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Manipal Hospitals, one of India’s premier healthcare providers.

This builds on earlier collaborations, such as with Marengo Asia Hospitals, which helped establish a solid foundation in renal transplantation.

The partnership aims to expand capacity, deepen specialist training, facilitate clinical exchanges, and introduce advanced technologies, including robotic surgery.

Dr. Akinmade highlighted plans for more complex urological procedures — such as urethral reconstruction, penile implants, radical prostatectomy, and reconstructive urology — positioning AMSH as a centre of excellence in nephrology and urology.

Dr. Rajit Sood, speaking for Manipal Hospitals, praised Ekiti as “an island of knowledge” and expressed optimism about knowledge transfer and improved access to world-class care.

Nigeria loses substantial resources annually to medical tourism, with patients traveling abroad — often to India — for procedures like kidney transplants. AMSH’s achievements demonstrate that high-quality care is possible locally.

Improved air connectivity to Ekiti, with flights to Lagos and Abuja in about 30 minutes, further enhances accessibility for patients nationwide.

The hospital has also expanded into other advanced areas, including cardiac surgeries now largely handled by Nigerian specialists and pioneering procedures like penile implants.

Despite these successes, infrastructure hurdles remain. Dr. Akinmade appealed to the government to rehabilitate the main access road to the hospital, stressing its importance for patients, emergency services, medical tourists, and regional development.

He also advocated for better welfare for healthcare workers to strengthen Nigeria’s overall health system.

Behind the statistics are real people: families relieved of the emotional and financial toll of dialysis, patients regaining normal lives, and medical teams demonstrating that excellence can thrive in Nigeria with the right vision, investment, and collaboration.

As AMSH enters this new phase with robotic surgery on the horizon, it stands as a beacon of what is possible when determination meets opportunity.

This milestone not only celebrates 50 lives transformed but signals a maturing Nigerian healthcare sector capable of competing on the global stage — one transplant, one partnership, and one visionary step at a time.