Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC,) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the condition of thousands of Nigerians living with kidney disease, describing a recent visit to nearly 1,000 kidney patients in Enugu as one of the most heartbreaking experiences of his life.
Obi made the remarks in a post shared on his official X account on Friday, shortly after attending the funeral Mass of the late Most Rev. Obiora Akubeze in Benin City.
According to him, he travelled from Benin to Enugu where he met patients battling kidney-related illnesses, including children, many of whom he said were facing severe hardship due to inadequate healthcare facilities.
Reflecting on the visit, Obi said, “Yesterday, after the funeral mass of Most Rev Obiora Akubeze in Benin City, I travelled to Enugu to meet nearly 1,000 kidney patients. It was one of the most disheartening visits I have had.”
He added, “I encountered people facing the most difficult moments of their lives, helplessly, in a country of abundance, among them children.”
Highlighting the scale of the health challenge, Obi stated that more than 25 million Nigerians are living with kidney disease, while the country has fewer than 200 kidney treatment centres and only about 500 functioning dialysis machines.
He stressed that Nigeria requires at least 5,000 operational dialysis machines to adequately meet the growing demand for treatment.
“Nigeria has over 25 million people with kidney disease. We have fewer than 200 kidney centres and barely 500 functioning dialysis machines, when we ideally need about 5,000 functioning dialysis machines. This is completely unacceptable,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor also commended Emmanuel Onyeka Okoh, popularly known as Okwuluora, for organising a charity initiative to support kidney patients across the country.
Obi described the humanitarian effort as commendable and pledged to support the initiative financially.
“I must commend the organiser of the charity project, Emmanuel Onyeka Okoh (Okwuluora), for his selfless humanitarian service to Nigerians who cannot help themselves. I assured him of my ongoing support, starting today with my initial donation to his work with the kidney patients,” he stated.
Calling for urgent government intervention, Obi urged the Federal Government and state governments to prioritise investment in the healthcare sector to improve access to quality medical care for Nigerians.
“The Federal Government, and Government at all levels must take the lead in actively investing in health to guarantee a healthier population for all.”
He concluded his message with his signature call for national transformation, saying, “A new Nigeria is POssible.”
