By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the plight of kidney patients in Nigeria, describing his recent encounter with nearly 1,000 patients in Enugu as one of the most disheartening visits he has ever made.
Obi, who disclosed this in a statement posted on his X handle on Friday, said he travelled to Enugu after attending the funeral Mass of the late Most Rev. Obiora Akubeze in Benin City, where he met kidney patients receiving care through a charity initiative.
According to him, the visit exposed the painful reality of citizens battling life-threatening illnesses in a country blessed with abundant human and material resources.
“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,” Obi said.
He said he encountered Nigerians, including children, facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives without adequate support.
Obi noted that 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.
The former Governor of Anambra State stressed that the country would ideally require approximately 5,000 functioning dialysis machines to adequately respond to the needs of kidney patients. “This is completely unacceptable,” he declared.
Obi commended the organiser of the charity project, Emmanuel Onyeka Okoh, popularly known as Okwuluora, for what he described as selfless humanitarian service to Nigerians who are unable to afford the cost of treatment.
He disclosed that he had assured Okoh of his continued support for the initiative, beginning with an initial donation to assist the charity’s work with kidney patients.
The former governor also called on the Federal Government and other levels of government to take greater responsibility for healthcare delivery by substantially investing in the sector.
According to him, sustained investment in healthcare remains critical to building a healthier and more productive population.
“The Federal Government, and Government at all levels must take the lead in actively investing in health to guarantee a healthier population for all,” Obi said.
He reaffirmed his belief in the possibility of transforming the country, declaring: “A new Nigeria is POssible.”
