A new era of hope has begun for people suffering from kidney failure in Delta State and the wider Niger Delta region, following the successful completion of the first-ever kidney transplant at a private hospital in Warri.
The landmark procedure, performed at the Mount Horeb Clinic and Dialysis Centre, signals a major advancement in local healthcare and offers a lifeline to patients who previously faced immense hardship seeking treatment abroad or in distant Nigerian cities.
The successful transplant was carried out on a 31-year-old patient on September 6, 2025. According to a member of the medical team, Dr. Raph Onyemekeihia, the patient had been suffering from renal disease and is now recovering well with the donor reported to be a perfect match and no complications arising from the surgery.
Dr. Onyemekeihia explained that the feat was achieved through a collaboration between the local ‘Warri Kidney Transplant Group’ and an experienced surgeon from India. He described the success as a pivotal moment that paves the way for more such life-saving procedures in the region.
“This success marks a major advancement in organ transplantation for private hospitals in the region, paving the way for more kidney transplants and offering new hope for patients suffering from kidney failure,” he stated.
The achievement is set to drastically reduce the physical, emotional, and financial burden on patients and their families. Previously, individuals requiring a kidney transplant had to embark on difficult and expensive journeys to centres in Lagos, Abuja, or even overseas to countries like India and the United Kingdom.
“Patients used to travel to Lagos, Abuja, India, or the UK for kidney transplants, which involved significant financial and logistical challenges, but now it is around us,” Dr. Onyemekeihia noted, highlighting the transformative local impact.
The medical team revealed that this breakthrough was not an overnight success but the result of years of meticulous preparation. Since 2018, the group has been acquiring necessary equipment, including a fully equipped Intensive Care Unit and twin operating theatres. To build their expertise, the team studied transplant procedures at several established centres in India, Egypt, and other Nigerian hospitals.
While celebrating this private sector achievement, the team appealed to the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and other public-spirited individuals for support.
They argued that such backing would align with the governor’s MORE Agenda, which aims to improve healthcare accessibility, and ensure that quality medical care is available within the state. “This appeal became imperative to ensure that Deltans no longer travel distance before seeking healthcare services and delivery,” Dr. Onyemekeihia said.
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