THE University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has successfully undertaken a kidney transplant, the first in the history of the 51-year-old institution.

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The feat was achieved in May this year, according to the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Abiodun Ilesanmi.

Ilesanmi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) today in Ibadan that the transplant was carried out by an entirely Nigerian team.

According to him, the success of the transplant is the beginning of greater achievements at the hospital.

The Head of the Renal Transplant Team, Prof. Solomon Kadiri, a Consultant Nephrologist, said the surgery was “expensive”.

“It is an expensive surgery and was not easy to get that N150 million to perform the surgery. But the hospital has gone at great length to provide the initial money needed,’’ he said.

Kadiri added that in the course of organising the surgery, many departments in the hospital were involved.

“For this surgery to be sustained, we need the cooperation of everybody,” the consultant said.

While thanking the hospital, Mr Abayomi Adeyemo, the patient, who had been diagnosed of renal failure for two years, said he had lost hope until his consultant encouraged him to go for the transplant.

Adeyemo also thanked his younger sister, Titilayo Adeyemo, for donating a kidney to him.

“Immediately I was diagnosed, I was waiting for death but UCH gave me hope. The consultants told me I could survive if I could get a donor from my family.

“After series of test conducted on members of my family, my younger sister was identified as the most compatible donor and four months later, the surgery was carried out."

“I thank God for my life and I also appreciate the Renal Transplant Team for their efforts,” Adeyemo said.

In recognition of their work, UCH management gave each member of the transplant team an award of excellence.