Obi Raises Alarm Over Nigeria’s Kidney Disease Burden, Calls for More Investment in Healthcare

Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria democratic congress (NDC) presidential candidate in the 2027 poll, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government and other levels of government to urgently increase investment in healthcare following his visit to kidney patients in Enugu.

Obi made the call after visiting nearly 1,000 kidney patients in Enugu, describing the experience as one of the most disheartening visits he had undertaken.

He said he encountered Nigerians, including children, battling serious kidney conditions without adequate access to treatment, despite the country’s vast resources.

According to Obi, Nigeria has more than 25 million people living with kidney disease, while the country has fewer than 200 kidney centres and about 500 functioning dialysis machines.

He noted that Nigeria would ideally require about 5,000 functioning dialysis machines to adequately cater for patients suffering from kidney-related illnesses.

Obi also commended Emmanuel Onyeka Okoh, popularly known as Okwuluora, for organising the charity project and providing humanitarian support to kidney patients who cannot afford the cost of treatment.

He said he had assured Okoh of his continued support for the initiative and made an initial donation towards the project.

The former governor further urged the Federal Government, state governments and local authorities to prioritise healthcare investment, stressing that improved funding was necessary to guarantee a healthier population.

“Government at all levels must take the lead in actively investing in health to guarantee a healthier population for all,” Obi said.