A 69-year-old man in Abuja has been given a new lease on life after undergoing the city’s first-ever successful living-donor kidney transplant at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja.
Suffering from end-stage renal disease, the patient faced an uncertain future — until a close relative, aged 39, stepped forward to donate one of his kidneys. Their courage and selflessness, paired with expert care from FMC’s medical team, turned the tide.
The complex surgery was performed on May 6 by a team led by Dr. Ernest Aniede, with support from skilled surgeons, nephrologists, and healthcare staff.
For the patient and his family, the transplant means more than just survival — it’s a second chance at life. For the community, it marks a historic medical achievement, proving that such advanced procedures can now be successfully done locally without having to travel abroad.
This moment is not just a win for one family, but a beacon of hope for countless others battling kidney disease in Nigeria.
Also, that the surgery was performed under strict sterile conditions and involved meticulous techniques to minimise risks and maximise the chances of transplant success.
The statement also notes that during his visit to the patient and the donor in the ward after the procedure, the Medical Director, Prof. Saad Ahmed, commended the patient and donor for their trust in the hospital’s services.
He also commended the medical team for a successful surgery.
“This is a major milestone for FMC Abuja and a positive sign for the healthcare landscape in Nigeria.
“This surgery demonstrates the hospital’s commitment to providing advanced and life-changing treatments to its esteemed patients.
“This momentous surgery represents a step forward in providing life-changing treatment options for patients with kidney failure in the region and beyond.”
He, however, said that the hospital’s dream was to be a world-class health institution for rendering quality healthcare through teamwork, leveraging on cutting-edge technology to enhance research, training, and innovation in healthcare provision.
According to the statement, Ahmed appreciated President Bola Tinubu, for his unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of the citizens and implementing crucial health reforms and initiatives in addressing kidney-related issues.
He added that the president’s vision and dedication has led to significant progress in strengthening the healthcare system, especially in expanding access to dialysis, increasing funding for kidney disease research, and enhancing training for healthcare professionals.
In response, the donor and patient (recipient) expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the hospital management and staff for the professionalism and dedication they demonstrated before, during, and after the procedure.
The statement added that the patient and donor have recovered fully and are awaiting discharge from the medical team.
