A new Nephrology and Dialysis Centre, is now operational at the Femi Gbajabiamila General Hospital, Iyun, Surulere, to cater for Lagosians who require treatment.
The Head of Nephrology Unit at the Hospital, Dr. Busari Abdulwasiu Adebiyi, stated this in an interview held recently in his office.
He said the purpose of establishing the centre, by the Lagos State Government is to ensure that an affordable, excellent and technically-driven nephrology care, dialysis services and renal transplantation are accessible to Lagos residents, in line with the THEMES Plus Agenda of the present administration.
According to Dr. Busari, a Nephrology Consultant, who has gained enormous experience in clinical nephrology, dialysis services and capacity building, at Gbagada General Hospital, the intention is to turn the centre into a world-class treatment centre where about 20,000 out of an estimated two million Lagosians living with chronic kidney disease can be treated, thus reducing the pressure on tertiary hospitals like LUTH.
He said the idea is also to cut down on the waiting time for patients, adding that the centre will provide preventive and early intervention services for high-risk groups, such as hypertensive and diabetic patients, towards reducing disease complications and enhancing the overall quality of healthcare delivery.
On the challenges envisaged in running the new department at the hospital, the Specialist said manpower will be the major issue, as many healthcare professionals have migrated abroad for greener pastures, thus leaving a gap in specialised care.
The way out of the impasse, according to him, is through impactful training and retraining for medical professionals like Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, as well as allied health professionals, equipping them with the needed skills to care for dialysis and nephrology patients.
He also commented on stable power supply, which, according to him, is very critical for dialysis, praising the Hospital Management for providing standby generators and solar power backup, all of which will be upgraded when services expand.
Speaking further, Dr. Busari, however, calls for greater health insurance through the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), with a view to reducing the financial burden that the treatment of dialysis has on most patients.
“With full incorporation of hemodialysis into the State health insurance, out-of-pocket costs will be drastically reduced, access to treatment will increase, and patients’ survival will also be improved”, he said.
The dialysis Specialist also called on NGOs and private sector partnerships, towards strengthening sustainability and resource mobilisation.
Since the establishment of the new department at the hospital, Dr. Busari said that more than 400 nephrology referrals and completed multiple dialysis sessions for patients with both acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease have been handled, revealing that the number has been steadily increasing due to more awareness creation.
Speaking on the discount method employed by the Hospital Management, the Consultant said the first 100 dialysis sessions will be subsidised, in line with the State Government’s commitment to reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, just like the broader subsidy already being enjoyed in the treatment of dialysis in state-owned facilities.
He commended the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for prioritising qualitative healthcare delivery for Lagosians and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for the donation of the hospital.
He also extended his commendation to the State Health Service Commission, for quality leadership; the Medical Director, Dr. Olumide Sojinrin and members of staff, for their unalloyed dedication and commitment to making the milestone department for the hospital, a reality.