University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital to Launch Kidney Transplant Center
Katherine Abayomi, Port Harcourt.
The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) has revealed plans to begin kidney transplantation services by October this year.
Professor Datonye Alasia, Chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), stated this during the Renal Department Ground Rounds presentation.
Professor Alasia stated during an interview with newsmen about the timeline for its kickoff.
” For us, our strategic timeline is October 2024, and that is what we are working towards, but of course, if all the assumptions go as we plan, it will be October because we have training of staff, MoUs will be signed, procurement timeline will also affect us but over focus is to stay on that date and see that we achieve it.
Professor Alasia further stated that the facility would: For today, we have the Renal Department presenting because of the planned renal transplantation. The essence is to create awareness internally. From the programme, you see that it involves different professional groups such as phrenologists, Pharmacists, pediatricians, nurses, psychologists, and virtually everybody in the hospital. So, it is a multidisciplinary thing.
This presentation also helps team members understand what they are expected to offer transplant patients and every aspect of the service that will influence the patient’s journey. We also believe that this world will improve the multidisciplinary team spirit.
He said the transplant clinic has kicked off. It wasn’t structured for post-transplant and before-transplant, but now there is a deliberate attempt to structure it to make the public know clearly that the transplant clinic is a dedicated service.
UPTH Transplant Team lead Professor Onyeanumam Ekere said that dialysis is one way to treat a diseased kidney. This is the removal of waste products and urine; feces can not be removed. They stay in the blood and negatively affect a person.
“To restore function, a new kidney may be needed, which is transplantation. We have not started this before now, but we are in the process of starting the transplant programme. The present management of the hospital, as part of the five-year development programme, wants to carry out this kidney transplant.
He further mentioned their collaboration with other centers to make it a success.
“We cannot do it alone, so we are collaborating with some centres, both locally and internationally. Through the effort of management, we have a specific building designed for it.
