Kidney Transplant in Nigeria

Kidney failure affects thousands of Nigerians every year, with many relying on dialysis to survive. However, a kidney transplant surgery offers long-term survival for the patient, improving quality of life and reducing hospital visits. In this article, we explore everything you need to know about kidney transplants in Nigeria, including costs, legal regulations, and post-transplant care. 

Kidney Transplant Procedure?

When the kidney stops working the waste in the blood is not filtered. People with failed Kidneys usually undergo Dialysis. This treatment is a mechanical way to filter waste that builds in the bloodstream.

Dialysis can be time-consuming and labour-intensive. It may require a frequent visit to a Dialysis centre, where the blood is cleaned using a Dialysis machine.

Some people with failed kidneys can find donors and may qualify to get Kidney Transplant. One or both kidneys can be replaced with donor kidneys from a live or deceased person.

A kidney Transplant allows the patient to live a more active life. There is no dependence on Dialysis machines and it also reduces frequent hospital visits over a period of time.

In this procedure, the surgeon takes the donated kidney and places it in the patients body. A person can live a healthy active life even with one functional kidney. Proper medication and a few regular check-ups are required to see if the new organ is functioning properly in the body.

Causes of Kidney Failure

The kidney can fail for many reasons, however, the main reasons for kidney failure are:

·       Diabetes and hypertension as the leading causes of kidney disease.

·       Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and how it progresses.

·       Genetic conditions & infections that can lead to kidney failure.

Who may donate a Kidney?

A kidney donation may be made by:

• Living related donor: A parent, sibling, or child of the transplanted organ.
• Living unrelated donor - such as a friend or spouse
• General health condition (e.g., must be medically fit for surgery).
• Age considerations (e.g., typically under 70 years old, unless otherwise assessed).
• No active infections or cancer.
• A deceased donor is an individual who just recently died but does not have known chronic renal disease. The transplanted kidney is delivered in a highly unusual solution that keeps the organ viable for up to 48 hours. This gives the medical professionals time to conduct testing to ensure that the blood and tissue of the donor and receiver are identical.

What is the Procedure for a kidney donor who is Alive?

A general anaesthetic will be administered to you before the procedure if you're donating a kidney. This implies that you will be pain-free and sleepy. Today's surgeons may frequently replace the kidney with a few tiny surgical incisions using a laparoscopic technique.

What is the Methodology for Kidney Transplant?

Transplants may require major surgery and require a rigid diet and drug schedule. The recipient of a kidney transplant needs to be in good health and prepared for such a lifestyle. A thorough evaluation is performed at the clinic, wherein doctors can do several blood and urine tests in addition to other physical exams.

Before the procedure, anaesthesia is administered to kidney transplant recipients.

• The bottom portion of the abdomen is cut by the surgeon.
• Your surgeon will place the replacement kidney into your lower belly. The new kidney's artery and vein are connected to those located in the pelvis. The new kidney receives blood flow from your body and generates urine much like your own healthy kidneys do.

Then, your bladder is connected to the ureter, which transfers pee.

• Unless your kidneys are producing a medical problem, they are left in place. Then, the wound is stitched up.

How long does a Kidney Transplant take?

4-5 hours are required for kidney transplant surgery.

How much does a kidney transplant surgery cost in Nigeria?

The cost of a kidney transplant varies on several factors, including;

1. The patient's health tests and condition

2. The Patient's age and gender

3. The hospital's location

4. Surgeon's Experience

5. Type of medicines and their usage

The cost of a kidney transplant in Nigeria typically ranges between ₦25 million – ₦30 million ($15,000 – $20,000), depending on the hospital, surgeon experience and post-transplant care requirements.

However, it is quite less as compared to costs in the USA, Dubai or India. which can be as high as $25,000 - $150,000.

Feel free to call us for a free Kidney Transplant cost quotation.

What are the risks of kidney transplants?

• Clots of plasma (deep venous thrombosis)
• Infections in wounds
• Negative effects of drugs used to stop transplant rejection
• Loss of a transplanted kidney due to patient's immunity, acute rejection.

Treatment for Patients with Kidney Transplants

After receiving a kidney transplant, you might need to spend another seven to ten days in the hospital. For one to two months, you could need frequent blood tests and strict doctor monitoring.

Medico-Legal Compliance in Kidney Transplantation in Nigeria

Kidney transplantation in Nigeria undergoes strict legal and ethical guidelines to prevent organ trafficking and ensure safe, ethical medical practices. Compliance with these regulations is important for Donors, Recipients and Hospitals performing the transplants to ensure a legally valid and ethically conducted transplant procedure.

Regulatory Agencies ensure compliance with the set guidelines

1.     National Health Act (2014)

• Governs organ transplantation in Nigeria.
• Prohibits the sale and trafficking of human organs.
• Requires written, informed and attested by the court consent from the donor.

2.     Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Guidelines

• Ensures that only licensed medical practitioners perform transplants.
• Establishes ethical standards for organ donation.

3.     National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)

• Prevents organ trafficking and illegal transplant procedures.
• Investigates cases of coerced or commercialised organ donations.

Key Medico-Legal Requirements for Kidney Transplant

Donor Consent:

• Must be voluntary, informed, and legally documented through the signing of an affidavit at the high court in Nigeria.
• Living donors must undergo a psychological evaluation to ensure no coercion.
• Government-issued ID & proof of relationship (if applicable).
• Court clearance for unrelated donors.

Recipient Eligibility:

• The recipient must have a medical justification for requiring a transplant, which means the recipient should be suffering from End Stage Kidney or Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
• Medical reports confirming end-stage kidney failure.
• Blood tests and cross-matching reports.

Prohibition of Organ Trade:

• Buying or selling kidneys is illegal under Nigerian law.
• Any monetary transaction beyond medical expenses is strictly prohibited.

Ethical Review & Approval:

• Hospitals must seek ethical clearance from the Transplant Committee formed by the hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) about Kidney Transplants in Nigeria

Can I live a normal life after having a kidney transplant?

Most of the patients lead a better life after the transplant and it is considered a better option as compared to dialysis. People who receive a kidney from a living donor do better than people who receive a kidney from a deceased donor.

Can I have a kidney transplant and have my body reject it?

An individual who has had a kidney transplant may occasionally reject the new organ. Inferred from this is that their immune system attacks the new kidney since it perceives it as a foreign object.

Nearly all kidney transplant recipients must frequently take medications for the remainder of their lives to suppress their immune response in order to prevent rejection. This kind of treatment is known as immunosuppressive.

A successful kidney transplant will necessitate close monitoring from your doctor, and you must always take your medication as directed.

How long can someone with a kidney transplant expect to live?

This almost always depends on the general health and way of life of the kidney transplant recipient. For a patient undergoing dialysis, the normal life expectancy is five years. People who undergo a kidney transplant often live a lot longer compared to those who continue to receive dialysis today.

How to prevent kidney failure?

You can protect your kidneys by following a healthy lifestyle like losing weight if you are overweight, getting active, controlling blood sugar levels, quitting smoking, keeping your blood pressure below 140/90and getting a regular kidney checkup done.

What is the Kidney Transplant success rate in Nigeria?

The success rate of kidney transplants across many centres in Nigeria is quite good (85% approx). However, a lot will depend on the condition of the patient and his comorbidities, like whether he is diabetic, has hypertension or suffers from some other chronic diseases. The patient's proper evaluation is necessary before opting for the transplant. Blood tests like crossmatch and DSA, HLA Typing, etc, are done to ascertain the compatibility of the donor with the recipient. Other aspects include post-surgical care and long term medication adherence of the patients.

Which hospital is the best kidney transplant centre in Nigeria?

There are many hospitals in Nigeria which deal in kidney treatment, contact us to know more.

How long does a transplanted kidney last?
A kidney from a living donor lasts 10–15 years, while a deceased donor kidney typically lasts 7–10 years.

Can a person with HIV or hepatitis get a kidney transplant?
Yes, However, they need special medical evaluation and the donor must be compatible.

How soon can I return to work after a kidney transplant?
Most people return to work within 6–8 weeks, depending on their health condition and type of work.

Are you considering a kidney transplant in Nigeria?

Contact us today for expert consultation, cost estimates, and hospital recommendations.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is for the patient's general knowledge only and should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Duplication for personal and commercial use must be authorised in writing by Surjen.com.