The Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, has successfully conducted its first kidney transplant at the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Urology and Nephrology.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Director of Research and Development at TETFund, Salisu Bakari, praised the achievement, stating that UDUTH had emerged as the best-performing among the 27 TETFund Centres of Excellence nationwide.
He reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to supporting the hospital’s sustainability and positioning it as a leading medical centre in Sub-Saharan Africa.
To promote knowledge sharing, he pledged to invite directors from other centres across the country to learn from UDUTH’s success model.
Bakari also highlighted TETFund’s plans to enhance ICT infrastructure and internet availability in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
He described UDUTH’s accomplishment as one that would benefit the underprivileged and serve as an example of how public funds should be effectively utilized for the masses.
The Vice-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Bashir Garba, praised the medical team led by Prof. Ismail Mungadi for bringing honour to the institution and the nation at large.
He assured that the university would work to sustain its kidney transplant programme for the benefit of Nigerians.
He also urged the governments of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States to assist in constructing a dedicated facility for kidney transplant patients.
The Chief Medical Director of UDUTH, Prof. Anas Sabir, commended the hospital staff, particularly the Urology and Nephrology Department, for their dedication.
He assured that UDUTH would continue investing in workforce capacity building, emphasising that the strong partnership between UDUTH and its parent institution, UDUS, has been instrumental in the hospital’s success.
Governors of Sokoto and Kebbi States pledged their full support for the centre.
The Kebbi State Commissioner for Health, Yunusa Ismail, representing Governor Nasir Idris, expressed pride in the transplant’s success, highlighting its potential to reduce medical tourism and provide affordable treatment for citizens.
He assured that Governor Idris remains committed to supporting the centre to make its services accessible to ordinary Nigerians.
Similarly, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Umar Faruk, representing Governor Ahmed Aliyu, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of UDUTH’s achievements.
He noted that the governor’s “Nine-Point Smart Agenda” prioritises healthcare, as reflected in the highest budgetary allocation to the health sector in the state’s 2025 budget. He further disclosed plans for a Memorandum of Understanding between Sokoto State and UDUTH to enhance healthcare delivery.
To further demonstrate the government’s support, Governor Aliyu announced a cash donation of N10m to the centre.
In his goodwill message, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by Galadima Sokoto, Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru, commended the hospital’s management for their achievement.
He assured that the Sultanate Council stands ready to support the hospital’s continued growth.
