Kidney disease: Lions Club begins N1bn Dialysis Centre at Gbagada General Hospital

By Chioma Obinna

To tackle the growing burden of kidney disease in Nigeria, the Lagos Adequate Platinum Lions Club on Saturday commenced construction of a dialysis centre at Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos, a project aimed at expanding access to life-saving treatment and reducing deaths linked to renal failure.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the facility, which will accommodate at least 40 patients, was held at the hospital, with the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, as the Special Guest of Honour.

Speaking through her representative, Dr. Omolara Oyadotun, the First Lady described the project as “compassion turned into concrete action,” stressing that it would improve affordability and accessibility to dialysis treatment for many vulnerable residents.

“As a physician, I understand the pain of patients who cannot access timely and affordable dialysis. As First Lady, I also see the human cost behind the statistics.

“This centre will save lives by improving access, affordability and healthcare partnerships. It brings care closer to patients, reduces late presentation, and complements the Lagos State Government’s healthcare agenda.”

She said the initiative underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in tackling non-communicable diseases, commending the Lions Club for what she described as a life-saving intervention.
The project, championed by the Lions Club and estimated to cost close to N1 billion, is expected to be completed and handed over within 12 months.

Speaking at the ceremony, Charter President of Lagos Adequate Platinum Lions Club, Lion Dr. Bola Azeez, said the intervention was borne out of the urgent need to support the increasing number of kidney disease patients struggling with access to dialysis.

“We are here today to lay the foundation for the Lagos Adequate Platinum Lions Club Dialysis Centre for Gbagada General Hospital. This centre will take nothing less than 40 patients and is meant to enhance what government is already doing,” Azeez said.

He disclosed that the facility would run on a subsidised model to ease the heavy financial burden on patients.

“Dialysis is very expensive and it is continuous. If you cannot finance it, the end result is death. We want to reduce the number of people dying because they cannot afford treatment,” she said.

Azeez explained that the idea for the project came after a visit to the hospital revealed that existing dialysis facilities were overstretched.

“What they have is not enough. The space is limited, yet the number of kidney disease cases keeps rising. That was what prompted us to step in.”

She added that committed donors and partners had already pledged support for both the building and equipment.

Also, speaking, Chief Executive Officer/Medical Director of Gbagada General Hospital, Dr. Saliu Oseni, welcomed the intervention, describing it as timely and critical to strengthening renal care in Lagos.

According to him, kidney-related illnesses are rising sharply, with younger Nigerians increasingly affected.
“Kidney problems have really been increasing, especially with the common use of hard drugs among younger people. In the past, it was more common among older adults, but now we are seeing end-stage kidney disease in younger persons,” Oseni said.

He noted that the hospital already operates one of the state’s busiest dialysis units, but demand continues to outstrip supply.

“Providing us with additional dialysis units will go a long way in improving services. Sometimes patients come from other states to access dialysis here. This project will improve accessibility and save lives.”

For many kidney patients battling the high cost of dialysis, the Lions Club intervention may offer a crucial lifeline, and a chance at survival.