Delta Breakthrough: Warri Private Clinic Performs First Kidney Transplant, Seeks Government Support

Mount Horeb Clinic and Dialysis Centre, a private hospital in Warri, Delta State, has successfully carried out its first kidney transplant, marking a historic breakthrough in private healthcare within the South-South region of Nigeria.

The transplant, performed on September 6, 2025, involved a 31-year-old patient suffering from chronic renal disease. Doctors confirmed that the donor was a perfect match and that the procedure was completed without complications. The patient’s body has since accepted the new kidney.

This achievement makes Mount Horeb the first private hospital in Delta State and its environs to perform a kidney transplant, reducing the need for patients to travel to Lagos, Abuja, or abroad for treatment.

The medical feat was led by a team of specialists including Dr. Raph Onyemekeihia, Dr. Henry Slater, Dr. Edema Great, Dr. Akporaye Akpomiemie, transplant coordinator Dr. Jimoh Abdulmalik, and Nephrology Nurse Mrs. Vero Ebinum, in collaboration with an experienced Indian surgeon.

Speaking after the procedure, Dr. Onyemekeihia described the operation as a culmination of years of preparation. He explained that the team studied transplant practices in India, Egypt, and top Nigerian hospitals such as FMC Umuahia, St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos, and Zenith and St. Caroline Hospitals in Abuja. Since 2018, Mount Horeb had been equipping its facility with the required infrastructure.

The hospital now boasts a four-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with modern life support systems, as well as a twin-theatre setup—one for kidney harvesting and the other for immediate transplantation—ensuring seamless operations. 

“Our goal is to bring world-class kidney care closer to the people of Delta and beyond. Patients no longer need to bear the financial and emotional burden of traveling outside the region for transplants. The solution is now right here with us,” Dr. Onyemekeihia said.

Mount Horeb Clinic described the breakthrough as a step toward fulfilling Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, which prioritizes better healthcare access for Deltans.

The management has now appealed to the Delta State Government, well-meaning individuals, and healthcare stakeholders to partner with the clinic to expand its life-saving services.

“This milestone is not just for Warri but for the entire South-South. With the right support, Mount Horeb can become a leading transplant hub that reduces mortality, saves families from financial distress, and gives hope to kidney patients,” the hospital said in a statement.

The successful procedure has been hailed as a landmark in Delta State’s healthcare journey, bringing new possibilities for advanced medical care in the private sector.