NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi has described Nigeria’s healthcare system as failing citizens, following what he called a “depressing visit” to nearly 1,000 kidney patients in Enugu on Wednesday.
Obi said the visit came immediately after attending the funeral mass of Most Rev. Obiora Akubeze in Benin City. He described the encounter in Enugu as “one of the most disheartening visits I have had.”
“I encountered people facing the most difficult moments of their lives, helplessly, in a country of abundance, among them children,” Obi stated.
Citing data, Obi said Nigeria has over 25 million people living with kidney disease. However, he noted the country has fewer than 200 kidney centres and barely 500 functioning dialysis machines, against an estimated need of about 5,000 machines.
“This is completely unacceptable,” Obi said, calling the situation a product of years of underinvestment in health.
He commended Emmanuel Onyeka Okoh, also known as Okwuluora, the organizer of the charity project for the patients, for what he called “selfless humanitarian service to Nigerians who cannot help themselves.” Obi said he assured Okoh of his ongoing support and made an initial donation to the initiative on Wednesday.
Obi urged the Federal Government and governments at all levels to “take the lead in actively investing in health to guarantee a healthier population for all.”
He ended his statement with: “A new Nigeria is Possible. -PO”
The visit highlights ongoing concerns about access to specialized healthcare in Nigeria, where out-of-pocket costs for dialysis have pushed many patients and families into severe financial distress.
