Sh**cking Neglect: Lagos’ Multi-Billion Naira Renal Centre Rusts As Dialysis Crisis Deepens

Sh**cking Neglect: Lagos’ Multi-Billion Naira Renal Centre Rusts As Dialysis Crisis Deepens

Lagos State’s N5.6bn Cardiac and Renal Centre (CRC) in Gbagada, once touted as a beacon of hope for patients with kidney disease, remains in disrepair, nearly a decade after its commissioning by former Governor Babatunde Fashola in March 2015. Initially designed…Sh**cking Neglect: Lagos’ Multi-Billion Naira Renal Centre Rusts As Dialysis Crisis Deepens

to provide comprehensive care, including 24 dialysis machines, the facility has yet to fulfill its potential. Meanwhile, only three out of the state’s 28 general hospitals are equipped with dialysis machines, leaving many patients with limited access to life-saving treatment.

Justin Ikechukwu, a 28-year-old man, recently shared his distress over transporting his elderly father, diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease, from Ikorodu to the General Hospital in Gbagada—one of the few hospitals offering dialysis. Despite arriving early, Ikechukwu’s father had to wait until noon for his session due to high demand, adding to the financial strain of paying N43,000 per dialysis session, plus additional costs for consumables.

While Lagos boasts the largest population in Nigeria, it also faces a growing influx of individuals requiring medical attention, particularly for non-communicable diseases like kidney failure. However, despite its vast population of 16.5 million, only a handful of general hospitals are equipped with the necessary dialysis equipment. The remaining 22 hospitals, including highly regarded ones like Randle and Isolo General Hospitals, lack dialysis units, further exacerbating the strain on those that do offer the service.

The Cardiac and Renal Centre in Gbagada, despite its state-of-the-art facilities and initial promise, is in a state of neglect, with weeds overtaking the area and parts of the facility now used for unrelated purposes like housing the hospital’s blood bank. The original 24 dialysis machines, once installed to meet the growing need, have either been neglected or left unused, raising doubts about their current operability.

In contrast, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and Alimosho General Hospital in Igando offer dialysis services, though access remains limited due to financial constraints and the number of available machines. The situation highlights the need for more accessible and affordable dialysis services, as many patients struggle to meet the high costs of treatment. Dialysis at some facilities can cost as much as N45,000 per session, a price that many patients find difficult to afford.

Experts argue that for kidney failure patients, access to regular dialysis is crucial for survival. Dr. Zumnan Gimba, a nephrologist, emphasized that without sufficient dialysis, patients face a significantly higher risk of complications and death. He also pointed out that the cost of dialysis in Nigeria remains prohibitively high, primarily due to reliance on imported consumables and limited competition among suppliers.

As Lagos faces an increasing demand for dialysis services, healthcare experts call for greater investment in both public and private healthcare facilities, better insurance coverage for patients, and efforts to reduce the cost of dialysis consumables. They also stress the importance of proper maintenance of dialysis machines and the need for the government to address the shortcomings in its healthcare system, particularly regarding renal care.

Despite the challenges, the hope remains that, with proper intervention and resources, the Cardiac and Renal Centre at Gbagada can eventually fulfill its intended role, providing much-needed support to kidney patients across the state.

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