By OLUWAFUNKE ISHOLA

The Nigerian Association of Nephrology has expressed concern over the noticeable disparity in dialysis costs for children and adults following the Federal Government’s recent initiative to reduce dialysis costs.

Its President, Prof. Olugbenga Awobusuyi, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, highlighted the need for equitable pricing to ensure all patients had access to affordable treatment.

According to him, the government’s intervention to reduce dialysis costs in designated federal hospitals excludes children with kidney disease.

“With the government’s intervention, adults now pay N12,000 while children still pay N40,000 or N50,000, depending on the area.”

Awobusuyi called for the inclusion of children to ensure a comprehensive intervention for every patient battling kidney disease.

NAN reports that the federal government reduced the cost of dialysis sessions from N50,000 to N12,000 in designated federal hospitals nationwide.

The Intervention is part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to expand access to healthcare and address the growing burden of kidney diseases.

Awobusuyi who commended the initiative, however, emphasised that integrating dialysis and kidney transplants into health insurance was critical to ensure sustainable financing for kidney treatment.

He further explained that health insurance would enhance patients’ access to life-saving care for kidney diseases and alleviate the financial burden on families.

The nephrologist called for the prompt inclusion of more health facilities beyond federal government-owned ones to improve patients’ access to the life-saving intervention.

Awobusuyi also called for a strategic plan to boost the number of functional dialysis machines and improve maintenance of existing equipment in health facilities.

According to the World Health Organisation, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the 10th leading cause of all deaths globally, affecting more than 850 million people.

Recent estimates by nephrologists and the government place the number of Nigerians with CKD at around 25 million or more. (NAN)