Bayelsa State is making significant strides in healthcare with the inauguration of the first fully-equipped haemodialysis centre in Nigeria. Located at the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) in Yenagoa, this state-of-the-art facility aims to reduce the burden of renal failure and non-communicable diseases in the region, offering high-quality treatment locally.
Governor Douye Diri, who marked his administration’s fifth anniversary with a series of project unveilings, proudly declared, “I feel very fulfilled that our people will no longer die of renal failure… I feel fulfilled that we can now offer these services to Bayelsans and to Nigerians.”
The establishment of the haemodialysis centre, one of several significant healthcare initiatives, was driven by Diri’s personal experience with his mother’s death from renal failure in 2023.
In his remarks, Professor Mohammed Ali-Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, hailed the development, emphasizing, “This is a milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and expanding access to quality care.” The new centre not only serves Bayelsa but also neighboring states, ensuring that residents no longer have to travel long distances for critical kidney care.
Governor Diri further stressed the importance of focusing on health as a priority for his administration, adding, “This is part of our commitment to improving the living standards of Bayelsans and making healthcare accessible for all.”
The haemodialysis centre, alongside the General Outpatient Centre in the 500-bed hospital, is poised to become a leading medical hub, contributing to the state’s health and development agenda.