By Hamza Suleiman

The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) has successfully performed its second living-donor kidney transplant, 15 years after its first living-donor kidney transplant.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the UMTH, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

“This is not the first time UMTH is doing the transplant. The first time UMTH conducted a kidney transplant was in August 2010 and now the hospital has come back with full force to resume the exercise,” he said.

Ahidjo also announced that already 20 patients were admitted awaiting surgery on the same kidney transplant.

He appealed to donors to contribute funds to support the have-not patients who needed the surgery so dearly.

The CMD said that though the hospital provided free services being a federal government facility, adding that the patient’s dialysis had been subsidised by the government by reducing everything to N12,000 which was less than eight dollars compared to 1,000 dollars charged for same dialysis elsewhere.

Ahidjo said that the target was to make transplant one of the cheapest in West Africa, saying their facility was largest in the country with a capacity to accommodate up to 85 patients at once.

“UMTH has four fully equipped theatre rooms. All for kidney transplant which were fully equipped with modern equipment,” the CMD said.

He, however, commended TETFUND for its support to the hospital in terms of equipment and other infrastructure.

Ahidjo also commended Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno for donating N50 million to the hospital to carry out research on causes of kidney related diseases in the North-East.

The CMD said that some of the research findings revealed that diabetics, hypertension and dehydration were linked with the kidney related diseases in the region.

“The causes of kidney issues for now are diabetics, hypertension and exact causes are not yet known but many samples were taken to laboratories and the result is awaited,” Ahidjo said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed

By Abujah Racheal

Medical experts and health advocates have renewed calls for a national policy on brain health.

They are calling on the Federal Government to prioritise brain tumour care through increased funding, public education, and improved access to treatment.

The call was made during a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja to commemorate the 2025 World Brain Tumour Day, organised by the Brain and Spine Foundation Africa in partnership with the National Hospital.

Speaking, Dr Mansur Idris, the Head of Consultant Neurosurgeon, National Hospital, said brain tumours accounted for up to 25 per cent of all neurosurgical cases in the country.

Idris, who was represented by Dr Uthman Uthman, a neurosurgeon, delivered a keynote address titled “Hope amid Tumour: Advances in Care and Survivorship”.

He said that many Nigerians remained unaware of the early signs of brain tumours due to cultural misconceptions and a lack of awareness.

“Seizures or behavioural changes are often mistaken for spiritual attacks. Some cases are only discovered incidentally during scans for unrelated conditions,” he said.

The doctor said that while not all brain tumours were malignant, untreated benign tumours could also lead to life-threatening complications.

He said that Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and other diagnostic tools were either unavailable or unaffordable for most Nigerians.

Although he commended new facilities like the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja, he noted that advanced services such as Tesla MRI and PET scans remained financially out of reach for many.

“Treatment involves a multi-disciplinary approach, neurosurgery, radiology, pathology, oncology, and often lifelong follow-up.

“Without financial support, patients and their families are left overwhelmed,” Idris said.

He called on the government to replicate cancer care financing models for brain tumour patients and urged the inclusion of brain health in the national health agenda.

Ms Chika Okwuolisa, Executive Director of Brain and Spine Foundation Africa, described brain tumour as a “silent national crisis” and called for urgent intervention through policy, education, and funding.

“Brain health has long been relegated to the background. It is time to bring it to the centre of health discourse in Nigeria. Without information, patients are disempowered, and caregivers are helpless,” she said.

Recounting personal experience supporting a sibling diagnosed with a brain tumour, she said her family had to solicit funds publicly to commence treatment.

“I have lived through the nightmare. That is why I say brain health should not be a private struggle. It is a public health issue,” she said.

Okwuolisa also said that the upcoming African Neurological Health Summit was part of continued advocacy efforts to mainstream brain health in Africa’s health policy.

Retired Gen. Maurice Ezeoke, former President of the International College of Surgeons, also said that the cost of treatment was a key barrier for most patients.

Ezeoke advocated for subsidies and the inclusion of brain tumour care in national health insurance coverage.

Also speaking, Mrs Ekeinyi Adedayo, a senior oncology nurse at the National Hospital, urged Nigerians to pay attention to persistent symptoms such as chronic headaches, changes in vision, and seizures, saying early diagnosis improves survival chances.

“Regular check-ups and early medical attention can make all the difference. Brain health must be prioritised,” Adebayo said.

The event featured emotional testimonies from survivors and caregivers including Ms Stephanie Acka, whose sister was diagnosed in 2021.

Acka described how her family raised over N10 million through donations for surgery in India, yet she said the financial burden continued with monthly drug costs as high as N1.2 million.

“I have had to beg just to keep my sister alive. We need government support to reduce this suffering,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Brain Tumour Day, observed every June 8, is more than just a commemorative day.

It is a global call to action to address one of the most under-recognised, but devastating health conditions affecting populations worldwide.

With the theme for World Brain Tumour Day 2025, ‘Fighting Brain Cancer Together’, advocates across the globe are rallying for equity in brain care, research and survivorship. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Oluwafunke Ishola