DAMATURU, NIGERIA — Yobe State University Teaching Hospital (YSUTH) in Damaturu allocates approximately N360 million annually to sustain its public healthcare intervention, the Yobe free dialysis scheme. According to YSUTH Chief Medical Director Prof. Baba Goni, the government-backed initiative administers between 600 and 700 free hemodialysis sessions every month to patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Comparatively, single hemodialysis sessions at other federal and tertiary teaching hospitals across Nigeria cost around N50,000—excluding supplementary prescription medications, diagnostic laboratory panels, and inpatient hospital stays.
Expanding Capacity Under the Yobe Free Dialysis Scheme
To support high clinical demand, YSUTH recently installed an industrial water treatment plant and acquired five additional dialysis machines, increasing its active functional fleet to 11 units. The teaching hospital also conducts free arteriovenous fistula surgeries to construct permanent vascular access for long-term renal failure management.
Goni confirmed that state plans are underway to open a second kidney treatment center at the Specialist Hospital in Gashua—identified as the primary epicenter for renal disorders in the state—with capital appropriations secured in the 2026 state budget. Furthermore, the hospital signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with international healthcare partners in Ghana to procure additional dialysis hardware and conduct specialized nephrology training for local medical staff.
Mitigating Financial Catastrophe for Chronic Disease Patients
In Nigeria, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) care remains predominantly out-of-pocket, as national health insurance coverage for long-term chronic dialysis remains limited. High session fees frequently cause financial strain on low-income families, leading to premature treatment abandonment.
Why It Matters: Yobe State’s direct budget funding of end-stage renal therapy highlights how subnational governments are absorbing catastrophic medical expenses for chronic diseases that national health insurance schemes have yet to cover.
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