The growing burden of kidney disease in Nigeria is leaving many patients struggling to afford the treatment required to stay alive, with high dialysis costs forcing some to discontinue care.
More than 150 kidney patients recently gathered under canopies in Enugu, drawing public attention after photographs and videos of their condition circulated on social media.
Some of the patients reportedly arrived in wheelchairs, while others showed visible signs of severe illness, including swollen legs, faces and abdomens.
Many of those affected are living with end-stage kidney disease, a severe stage of the condition that may require kidney replacement therapy such as regular dialysis or a transplant to sustain life.
The situation affects people across different age groups and social backgrounds, with both adults and children among those seeking help to continue treatment.
Most Patients Stop Dialysis Within One Year
Consultant Nephrologist, Dr Abdulwasiu Busari, said about 90 per cent of Nigerian patients discontinue dialysis within one year, with the cost of treatment being a major reason.
However, the overall prevalence of kidney disease in Nigeria remains difficult to establish because the country does not currently have nationally representative data showing the full extent of the problem.
Studies conducted in different parts of the country have produced varying estimates because of differences in the populations studied, locations and diagnostic methods.
A 2025 review placed estimates of chronic kidney disease generally between 10 and 19 per cent among adults, while an earlier systematic review reported figures ranging from 2.5 to 26 per cent.
The figures do not represent a definitive national prevalence.
Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that about 674 million people are living with chronic kidney disease, with most affected people in low- and middle-income countries.
Philanthropist Supports Patients in Enugu
Among those providing financial assistance to kidney patients in Enugu is philanthropist Emmanuel Onyeka Okoh, popularly known as Okwulora.
Okoh said he had sold personal property to support patients and had spent approximately N15 million at Park Lane Hospital, Enugu, in 2026 alone to settle medical bills and help patients continue dialysis.
He said some patients wait for months, and in certain cases up to a year, before receiving assistance, while others die after being unable to raise enough money for continued treatment.
According to him, his financial intervention often covers dialysis for only one or two months, after which patients have to find new ways of paying for their treatment.
Okoh also expressed concern over the number of children suffering from kidney disease.
He said some children between the ages of six and 10 had been brought to seek assistance, describing their situation as particularly distressing.
The increasing number of patients requiring financial support, he said, had become both emotionally and financially exhausting.
Kidney Disease Affecting Nigerians in Their Productive Years
Consultant Nephrologist at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, Dr Danladi Nmadu, said most Nigerian patients with severe kidney impairment or those undergoing dialysis are between 40 and 60 years old.
Nmadu said this differs from the pattern in many developed countries, where kidney disease tends to become more common among people aged 60 and above.
He warned that the situation has significant economic implications because many Nigerians are developing severe kidney problems during their productive years.
One challenge, according to him, is that kidney disease can remain undetected for a long period.
Nmadu explained that the kidneys can continue functioning without obvious symptoms until the disease has progressed significantly.
He therefore encouraged early medical checks, saying identifying kidney problems early can help doctors slow or prevent progression to kidney failure.
He also attributed late presentation partly to poor health-seeking habits, particularly among younger Nigerians who may not visit hospitals because they feel healthy.
Dialysis Can Cost N150,000 a Week
For patients who reach end-stage kidney disease, the cost of dialysis can become a major barrier to continued treatment.
Nmadu said a dialysis session typically costs about N50,000, with many patients requiring two or three sessions every week.
This means a patient could spend around N150,000 every week on dialysis alone.
Dr Busari noted that patients also incur additional expenses beyond the dialysis sessions, including medical investigations, erythropoietin and iron treatment.
Taking these additional costs into account, he estimated that regular dialysis could cost a patient about N600,000 per month.
Poor Affordability Linked to Low Survival
Nmadu said observations from their practice indicate that more than 70 per cent of patients requiring dialysis die within two years.
He identified the inability of many patients to consistently afford treatment as a major factor contributing to poor survival.
Busari also said the high financial burden helps explain why many Nigerian patients discontinue dialysis shortly after beginning treatment.
The situation has renewed concerns over access to affordable kidney care, particularly for patients who require long-term dialysis to remain alive.
Source: Vanguard
