Heritage Kidney and Medical Care (HKMC), an Abuja-based renal healthcare facility, has urged Nigerians to prioritise regular kidney screening, warning that kidney disease can develop silently without noticeable symptoms until significant damage has occurred.
The centre, while highlighting its expansion in renal healthcare delivery, said early detection and timely medical intervention remained critical to preventing the progression of kidney disease and reducing the number of patients presenting for treatment at advanced stages.
HKMC particularly advised people living with hypertension, diabetes and other kidney disease risk factors to undergo regular kidney health assessments, stressing that kidney health should not only become a concern when dialysis is required.
According to the facility, greater public awareness, early screening and stronger partnerships among families, communities, workplaces, healthcare organisations and other stakeholders could help reduce late presentation and improve treatment outcomes.
The centre in a statement, said it had also recorded significant growth in its capacity to provide specialised renal care since commencing operations in 2009 with a single dialysis machine. HKMC now operates 64 functional haemodialysis machines and is capable of providing up to 50 dialysis sessions daily across two shifts.
The facility disclosed that it currently conducts more than 1,000 dialysis sessions every month and performs an average of 10 kidney transplant surgeries monthly. The expansion, it said, reflects its growing capacity to provide advanced treatment to Nigerians living with kidney disease.
Beyond dialysis and transplantation, HKMC provides a range of renal healthcare services, including inpatient care, laboratory and diagnostic services, radiology and pharmacy support. A multidisciplinary team delivers these services, including consultant nephrologists, registrars, renal nurses, renal technicians, laboratory professionals, and other healthcare personnel.
The facility’s contribution to renal healthcare delivery received national recognition in 2025 when it was named the Best Dialysis Centre in Nigeria at the Dove Healthcare Awards. HKMC said the recognition reflected its commitment to quality healthcare delivery and improved outcomes for patients requiring renal care.
However, the centre stressed that increasing treatment capacity alone would not be sufficient to address Nigeria’s kidney disease burden without stronger emphasis on prevention and early detection. It noted that kidney disease often develops gradually, with affected individuals potentially showing few or no symptoms during the early stages.
As a result, the facility said many patients may only seek medical attention after substantial kidney damage has occurred, when treatment becomes more complex and costly. HKMC therefore called for sustained public education campaigns to improve understanding of kidney disease, its risk factors and the importance of routine screening.
It urged families and communities to support people at risk in accessing appropriate medical assessments, while encouraging workplaces and organisations to incorporate kidney health awareness into broader wellness initiatives. The centre also called for stronger collaboration among healthcare providers, government institutions, private organisations and community stakeholders to improve access to preventive kidney care and encourage Nigerians to seek medical attention promptly when risk factors or symptoms emerge.
According to HKMC, a stronger focus on prevention and early intervention would not only improve treatment outcomes but also help save lives by reducing the number of patients who present with advanced kidney disease.
