President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved an 80% subsidy on dialysis treatment for Nigerians suffering from kidney failure.
The announcement, made on Thursday, 6 March, 2025 by the Minister of Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, aims to alleviate the financial burden on patients requiring regular dialysis, a critical procedure for those with end-stage renal disease.
With dialysis sessions in the country costing between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000 each — often needed two to three times weekly—the subsidy slashes costs to as low as ₦6,000 per session, making treatment more accessible.
The initiative, funded through a special intervention allocation in the 2025 budget, targets public hospitals nationwide, where dialysis machines will be upgraded and expanded.
President Tinubu, speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Bayo Onanuga, emphasised that the policy reflects his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare affordability amid economic challenges.
“No Nigerian should die because they cannot afford treatment,” Tinubu reportedly said, directing state governments to collaborate with federal agencies to ensure effective rollout.
Health experts welcomed the decision, noting that kidney failure cases have surged in recent years due to hypertension, diabetes and limited access to preventive care.
Dr. Aisha Bello, a nephrologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, described the subsidy as “a game-changer,” though she urged the government to address the shortage of dialysis centers and trained specialists.
Patients like Chukwudi Okoye, a 42-year-old father of three, expressed relief, saying, “This means I can live longer to see my children grow.”
The subsidy complements earlier healthcare reforms under President Tinubu, including the revitalisation of primary healthcare centers.
However, critics argue that sustainable funding and transparency in implementation remain key to its success. For now, the policy offers hope to Nigeria’s kidney patients, signaling a bold step toward universal health coverage.
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