Afe Babalola hails ABUAD as varsity performs first kidney transplant

The Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, on Wednesday thumbed up the university’s multi-system hospital for the various exploits it had been doing since establishment, saying it had come to end outward medical tourism in Nigeria.

Babalola, who spoke against the backdrop of the first kidney transplant in the hospital, said, “This is a milestone for ABUAD, but I am not surprised because we have quality equipment and well-trained and experienced personnel.

He said, “There is therefore no need for anyone to go abroad for any treatment whatsoever. Anything and everything can be done here.

“I am happy that my dream of having a functional university has been realised before my very eyes.”

Consultant Nephrologist and Coordinator of Transplant Programme in ABUAD Multi-System Hospital, Dr Stephen Oguntola, called on members of the public to avail themselves of the facilities and equipment available in ABUAD Multi-System Hospital.

Babalola and Oguntola spoke in a statement by ABUAD Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Tunde Olofintila, titled ‘ABUAD MSH successfully performs first kidney transplant’.

Oguntola said, “The transplant was done simultaneously on Wednesday, October 13, using a dedicated twin-transplant theatre right here in this hospital, thus making it the first successful kidney transplant in Ekiti/Ondo axis of the country.

“The kidney function started improving right inside the theatre with the new kidney producing 2.3 litres of urine before the end of surgery which lasted for five hours, 15 minutes.

“Thereafter, the kidney function has continued to make a sustained improvement. We are very happy about the way both the donor and recipient have responded to the procedure. Both of them are in very high spirits.

“In fact, the donor was discharged on October 20 and with the look of things, the recipient will be discharged in a couple of days to start his normal life after the transplant.”

The lucky patient said he had been to the Indian embassy three times but could not get a visa because of COVID-19.

He advised people with kidney problems to make their way to ABUAD hospital.