FMC Umuahia records first kidney transplant in south-east

The first kidney transplant in south-east has been carried out at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia, Abia state.

The transplant was done on two patients in the hospital between Thursday and Saturday last week.

The first transplant was performed on one Oji, a 37-year-old businessman from Abia state, while the second was carried out shortly afterwards on one Charles aged 68 and also from the state.

A medical team led by Obi Ekwenna, from the University of Toledo Medical Center in the US and James Ogbuka Umekwe carried out the operations.

Speaking after the excercise, Oji said he had been battling with kidney failure for about four years while Charles said his had been with him for four months.

Oji also thanked the medical team for the successful operation, adding: “They provided a wonderful opportunity for poor people like us without the means to go abroad for transplantation.”

Ekwenna said the operations were “excellent by any standard anywhere in the world”.

He said the transplant was successful as a result of the dedication of the medical team as well as the hospital management.

Abali Chuku, chief medical director (CMD), said with the successful transplants, the hospital was realising its dream of providing “most affordable and efficient kidney transplant services in the south-east”.

He also disclosed that the hospital targets to carry out 40 kidney transplants in 2018 and urged members of the public to help it reach the target y donating the organs when needed.