…………emerges hub for advanced surgeries
The Afe Babalola University Multi-System Hospital (AMSH), Ado-Ekiti, has recorded another major breakthrough in Nigeria’s healthcare sector with the successful completion of 40 kidney transplant surgeries, positioning the institution among the leading renal transplant centres in the country.
The Chief Medical Director of AMSH, Dr Akinola Akinmade, disclosed this at the weekend during a press briefing held at the hospital, where he outlined a series of milestones that underscored the institution’s growing reputation as a centre of excellence for advanced medical care.
Akinmade said the renal transplant programme, which has continued to expand steadily, boasts an impressive success rate comparable to those of internationally recognised centres.
He attributed the feat to the expertise of the hospital’s multi-disciplinary teams and the strong institutional support provided by its founder, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN and the university management.
Akinmade said, “As of today, AMSH has successfully completed a total of 40 kidney transplant surgeries. This is a remarkable achievement by any standard and reflects the strength of our surgical teams, nephrology units, critical care specialists and the seamless collaboration across departments.”
He noted that the hospital’s partnership with Marengo Asia Hospitals has played a critical role in strengthening local capacity, enabling AMSH to deliver complex procedures while simultaneously equipping Nigerian clinicians with advanced hands-on experience.
Beyond renal care, the CMD revealed that AMSH is rapidly emerging as a regional hub for advanced urological surgeries, offering procedures that remain unavailable in many parts of West Africa.
According to him, the hospital has, in recent months, successfully carried out multiple Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) procedures, a minimally invasive surgery for men suffering severe urinary obstruction, with excellent clinical outcomes.
Akinmade also announced the hospital’s readiness to commence complex urethral reconstruction surgeries, describing them as highly specialised interventions that further elevate AMSH’s clinical and academic profile in reconstructive urology.
In another landmark achievement, he disclosed that AMSH recently performed its first successful penile implant surgery, restoring sexual and reproductive function to a patient who had battled longstanding erectile dysfunction.
“This milestone places AMSH among the few institutions in Nigeria capable of offering such advanced and life-changing procedures,” he said.
While commending the commencement of commercial flight operations at the Ekiti State airport, the medical expert appealed to politicians and others to shun medical tourism abroad and take advantage of the opportunities of the airport to visit the airport for their medical treatment.
The CMD further highlighted significant progress in the hospital’s cardiac surgery programme, describing it as an indigenous success story.
He recalled that the hospital’s early open-heart surgeries were conducted entirely by foreign teams, but noted that AMSH has now built the capacity of Nigerian specialists to independently handle complex cardiac procedures.
The CMD described the development as a testament to deliberate investment in local expertise and visionary leadership, adding that AMSH is now one of the few centres in West Africa where Nigerian heart surgeons are confidently and consistently performing high-level cardiac surgeries.
He emphasised that AMSH remains committed to a compassionate, patient-centred care philosophy while building a sustainable and globally competitive model of African healthcare.
“Together, we are writing a bold new chapter in Nigerian and African healthcare, a chapter defined by excellence, innovation and hope,” he said.
Speaking, the Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, commended AMSH for always leading in medical breakthroughs in Nigeria, saying that needless foreign medical tourism can be controlled with concerted efforts.
She also appreciated the Marengo Asia Hospital team for deeming it fit to transfer expertise to the Nigerian experts working in AMSH.
On his part, the Chairman of Urology & Renal Transplant at Marengo Asia Hospital and head of the foreign team, Dr Rajiv Sood, commended ABUAD for its state-of-the-art facilities and 24-hour operation, which distinguishes it from many public hospitals.
He revealed that a Nigerian patient has travelled from her New York, United States base to the hospital for the surgery, saying, ” that is a remarkable milestone for the ABUAD hospital.
“There is a clear difference between travelling economy class and business class. In both cases, you eventually arrive at your destination, but the experience is not the same. What we are saying here is that Nigerians are being offered business-class quality of service at economy-class rates in ABUAD hospital. That is the difference.”
Sood, a leading expert in urology and renal transplant, highlighted the potential of the partnership to position ABUAD Multi-System Hospital as a centre for medical tourism in Africa.