Group, experts advocate support for kidney health, donors’ protection

The Clarion Call Care Foundation, alongside other healthcare professionals, has called for urgent action to support kidney health and ensure donor protection in the country.

This appeal was made recently during an event organised by the foundation to honour kidney donors, transplant recipients, and medical professionals, marking 25 years of kidney transplantation.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, emphasised the importance of protecting organ donors, describing them as national heroes. He said donors must be recognised, protected, and provided with comprehensive healthcare and insurance, saying, “Their bravery should never be met with neglect.”

Addressing the medical and economic challenges surrounding renal care, Clinical Director and Consultant Nephrologist at St. Nicholas Hospital, Dr Ebun Bamgboye, highlighted the critical function of the kidneys. “Kidneys are natural filters. Without them, toxins accumulate, organs fail, and lives are lost,” he said.

Bamgboye noted that dialysis, costing around N300,000 per week, is financially unsustainable for most Nigerians. He argued that kidney transplantation is not only medically superior but also more cost-effective over time.

The foundation honoured Bamgboye for his pioneering contributions to kidney transplantation in Nigeria. He performed the country’s first successful kidney transplant 25 years ago and has since led over 400 successful procedures, setting a gold standard for renal care and transforming countless lives.

The President and Vice Chair of the Board, Dr Iyore James, called for comprehensive reforms, including the establishment of a national donor registry, public education campaigns and the integration of transplant care into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

“Organ donation is not just a medical act; it is a moral one. It is the legacy of the living, a ripple of love that extends far beyond the operating room. With continued advocacy, innovation, and compassion, the foundation is shaping a future where no one dies due to lack of a kidney—and where giving life becomes a national value,” James stated.

James noted that the foundation’s yearly Living Donor Day, held in Lagos, aims to honour the selfless individuals who have given the ultimate gift of life through kidney donation.

Sharing their experiences, Evelyn Abrakson, who donated a kidney to her mother, said: “Giving an extra kidney to my mother was a decision made purely out of love. I have never once fallen ill because of it. Love guided my choice, and it’s a choice I would make again.”

Mrs Matthew Indiana, who donated her kidney to her husband of 15 years, echoed similar sentiments. “It was a privilege to be the one who could help save my husband’s life. That opportunity changed both of our lives forever,” she said.