By Esther Ososanya
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a 76 percent subsidy on kidney dialysis in federal hospitals, offering major relief to thousands of Nigerians living with kidney disease.
The policy slashes the price of a dialysis session from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000. Patients who often need two or three sessions every week will now spend far less to survive.
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, announced the measure on Monday. He described it as part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to make healthcare more affordable for all.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a landmark subsidy to ease the cost of kidney dialysis for Nigerians. With this intervention, the price of each dialysis session has dropped from ₦50,000 to just ₦12,000, bringing relief to thousands of citizens battling kidney-related diseases,” Bwala said.
Where the Subsidy Applies
The reduced dialysis fee is already active in 10 federal medical centres and teaching hospitals across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones:
- FMC Ebute-Metta, Lagos
- FMC Jabi, Abuja
- UCH Ibadan
- FMC Owerri
- UMTH Maiduguri
- FMC Abeokuta
- LUTH Lagos
- FMC Azare
- UBTH Benin
- UCTH Calabar
Bwala added that more hospitals will join the scheme before year-end, ensuring wider access nationwide.
Building on Maternal Healthcare Reforms
This subsidy builds on Tinubu’s 2024 directive for free cesarean sections in federal hospitals. That policy won broad praise for reducing maternal deaths.
Healthcare experts say the new move strengthens the government’s commitment to tackling Nigeria’s urgent health challenges.
Kidney disease cases are rising in Nigeria. Treatment costs have forced many patients into debt or, in some cases, early death. Before now, patients spent more than ₦150,000 monthly on dialysis.
With the new subsidy, many will live longer and avoid costly medical trips abroad.
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Health rights advocates welcomed the policy. However, they urged the government to expand capacity, upgrade dialysis machines, and hire more medical staff. Without these improvements, they warned, the subsidy may not deliver its full impact.
For now, the initiative stands as rare good news in Nigeria’s strained healthcare system, where inflation and out-of-pocket payments continue to burden millions.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
