Residents of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, have welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to slash the cost of kidney dialysis in federal hospitals from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000 per session.
The announcement was made yesterday by the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Information, Daniel Bwala, who disclosed via his X handle that the intervention aims to ease the financial burden on thousands of Nigerians battling kidney-related illnesses.
Speaking to our correspondent, Uwakmfon Walter, residents described the move as timely and life-saving, noting that previously, the high cost of dialysis had forced many families to abandon treatment, resulting in preventable deaths.
Community members also called on the federal government to strengthen medical facilities in rural areas, pointing out that many patients still have to travel long distances to access federal hospitals. They urged authorities to prioritise affordable treatment for cancer, improve emergency services, and ensure consistent drug supplies in hospitals nationwide.
This initiative follows President Tinubu’s earlier approval of free caesarean sections (C-sections) for pregnant women in federal hospitals, a measure widely praised as a bold step toward reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria.