NEWS
Abia Specialist Hospital CMD, Dr. Okwuonu Highlights Six-Year Partnership with University of Virginia, U.S.A, to Driving Kidney Transplant Growth
…as Abia State Govt. Moves to Strengthen Kidney Transplant Services Through Expert Partnership
The Chief Medical Director of Abia Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Dr. Chimezie Okwuonu, has highlighted the institution’s six-year partnership with the University of Virginia, United States, as a major force behind efforts to strengthen kidney transplant services and build specialised medical capacity in Abia State.
Dr. Okwuonu spoke while receiving a team of medical experts led by renowned kidney specialist and apheresis expert, Prof. Rashid Abiodun Dogon, who visited the state to support the development of the kidney transplant programme at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.
According to the CMD, the collaboration with the University of Virginia has focused largely on training healthcare professionals, exchanging medical knowledge and exposing local practitioners to international best practices in kidney transplantation.
He explained that the partnership has also provided opportunities for some medical personnel from the Centre to travel to Virginia for specialised training and further professional development.
Dr. Okwuonu stressed the importance of sustained collaboration between local healthcare institutions and international experts in building a strong and reliable specialised healthcare system.
His remarks came as Abia continues to position its kidney transplant programme as one of the leading initiatives of its kind in the Southeast, with government support and professional expertise playing key roles in its development.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, who received the visiting team alongside other health officials, commended the medical professionals involved in the programme and described teamwork, continuous training and government support as critical ingredients for successful kidney transplantation.
Prof. Uche also reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s administration to improving healthcare delivery in the state, noting that 15 per cent of the state’s annual budget has continued to be allocated to the health sector.
Prof. Dogon, during the engagement, commended the visible improvements taking place in Abia and praised Governor Otti for providing qualified professionals with the opportunity to contribute to the state’s development.
He also appreciated the Abia State Government for supporting the kidney transplant programme at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, and expressed his readiness to continue contributing to the growth of specialised healthcare services in the state.
For Dr. Okwuonu, the ongoing collaboration represents more than an exchange of expertise. It is part of a broader effort to equip Abia’s healthcare professionals with the skills, experience and exposure required to deliver complex medical procedures locally.
With continued investment in training, partnerships and specialised services, the initiative is expected to further strengthen Abia’s capacity to provide advanced kidney care and reduce the burden on patients who may otherwise have to travel outside the state for treatment.