💧 Men's Health
Dialysis Explained for Nigerian Patients
Understanding haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis in Nigeria
Dialysis — artificial filtering of the blood when kidneys have failed — is the only life-sustaining treatment for kidney failure (stage 5 CKD or end-stage renal disease) when a kidney transplant is not immediately available. In Nigeria, dialysis is available at teaching hospitals, federal medical centres, and private dialysis centres, but cost is a massive barrier — most Nigerians who need dialysis cannot access or sustain it. Understanding dialysis types, cost, and access helps patients and families make informed decisions.
Signs and Symptoms
✓ This is a treatment explanation guide for patients with kidney failure
✓ Dialysis is needed when you have kidney failure symptoms: confusion, severe breathing difficulty, extreme fatigue, inability to pass urine, persistent vomiting and severe itch despite maximum medical management
✓ Dialysis is started based on clinical judgement and blood tests — your nephrologist decides the timing
When to Seek Help
EmergencySudden severe breathlessness, confusion, or severe leg/facial swelling in a kidney patient — emergency dialysis may be lifesaving; go to A&E at a hospital with a functioning dialysis unit
Plan aheadCKD stage 4 patients (eGFR 15-29) should begin dialysis planning with their nephrologist — creating an AV fistula for haemodialysis takes 3-6 months to mature
Peritoneal dialysis accessPD catheter insertion is a minor surgical procedure ideally done 2-4 weeks before starting dialysis — plan with your nephrologist
Tests & Diagnosis
🧪 Renal function panel (creatinine, urea, electrolytes)
Guides dialysis prescription and adequacy monitoring
🧪 Kt/V and URR
Mathematical measures of dialysis adequacy — calculated regularly to ensure dialysis is providing sufficient clearance
🧪 Echocardiogram
CKD causes cardiac changes — baseline echo and annual monitoring standard in dialysis patients
🧪 Vascular mapping (duplex ultrasound)
Before AV fistula creation — assesses vessel suitability for haemodialysis access
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis?
Haemodialysis cleans the blood through a machine at a dialysis centre 3x per week. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdomen as a filter and is done at home daily. PD is more convenient but requires consistent home management. Both clean the blood adequately when done correctly.
Is dialysis a permanent treatment?
For most patients with end-stage kidney disease, dialysis is indefinite unless a kidney transplant is received. A small proportion of patients (those with acute kidney injury causing temporary kidney failure) may recover off dialysis after weeks to months.
Can I eat normally on dialysis?
No — dialysis patients must follow strict dietary restrictions: low potassium (no oranges, bananas, coconut water, tomato paste); low phosphate (limit dairy, nuts, cola drinks); low salt; controlled fluid intake (usually 1-1.5 litres per day). A dietitian with kidney disease expertise is essential.
How long do people live on dialysis in Nigeria?
With consistent 3x-per-week dialysis, patients can live for years. However, Nigerian dialysis survival data shows higher mortality than Western centres due to inconsistencies in dialysis frequency (cost-driven missed sessions), infections, and cardiovascular disease. Transplantation offers significantly better survival.
Where can I get dialysis in Nigeria?
Haemodialysis centres: LUTH, UCH, UNTH, ABU, USMAN DAN FODIO, all Federal Medical Centres with nephrology, and numerous private dialysis centres in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano. Contact the Kidney Foundation of Nigeria (KFN) for a directory of centres and financial support information.