A private hospital in Delta State, Mount Horeb Clinic and Dialysis Centre, located in Warri, has successfully performed its first kidney transplant. Following this groundbreaking achievement, the clinic has appealed to the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for support in sustaining and expanding this critical medical service.
This landmark procedure marks the first time a private hospital in Delta State — and in surrounding states — has successfully carried out a kidney transplant, making it a historic milestone in the region’s healthcare landscape.
The transplant was performed by a skilled and dedicated team of surgeons and nephrologists, including Dr. Raph Onyemekeihia, Dr. Henry Slater, Dr. Edema Great, and Dr. Akporaye Akpomiemie. Supporting them were Nephrology Nurse Mrs. Vero Ebinum and transplant coordinator Dr. Jimoh Abdulmalik.
Dr. Onyemekeihia explained that the success of the procedure was made possible through a collaborative effort between the local Warri Kidney Transplant Group and an experienced Indian transplant surgeon who partnered with the team.
He noted that the team’s primary goal is to reduce the need for patients to travel outside the region for kidney transplants — a process that was previously costly, stressful, and often delayed due to complex logistics.
“Patients used to travel to Lagos, Abuja, India, or even the UK for kidney transplants, incurring huge financial costs and enduring exhausting logistics. But now, this life-saving service is available right here in Warri,” Dr. Onyemekeihia said.
In preparation for this feat, the team studied transplant procedures at leading medical centers in India, Egypt, and several top hospitals in Nigeria, including FMC Umuahia, St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos, and St. Caroline and Zenith hospitals in Abuja.
Since 2018, Mount Horeb Clinic has been equipping itself with the necessary tools and infrastructure, including a fully equipped four-bedded Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and twin operating theaters designed to allow for seamless kidney harvesting and transplantation.
The transplant, which took place on September 6, 2025, involved a 31-year-old patient who had been suffering from end-stage renal disease. The donor was a perfect match, and the procedure was completed successfully with no complications reported.
Dr. Onyemekeihia stated that this achievement aligns strongly with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE AGENDA, which is focused on improving healthcare accessibility and delivery to the people of Delta State.
The success of this transplant marks a significant advancement in organ transplantation within the private health sector in the South-South region, paving the way for more procedures and providing hope for patients battling kidney failure.
The clinic is now calling on Governor Oborevwori, as well as well-meaning individuals and stakeholders, to support its efforts to expand transplant services — ensuring that residents of Delta State no longer have to travel long distances to access quality healthcare.