LAGOS, NIGERIA — Nigerian music video director, ThankGod Omori, popularly known as TG Omori, has opened up about the financial burden of treating kidney failure, saying even a monthly salary of N1 million may not be enough to sustain dialysis treatment.
Omori spoke during an interview on the Afropolitan podcast published on YouTube on Wednesday, where he recounted his experience with kidney failure and the challenges he faced while awaiting a transplant. He said a dialysis session costs between N50,000 and N70,000 at some hospitals, while he paid between N150,000 and N200,000 at a private facility.
According to him, patients may require up to three dialysis sessions a week, bringing the weekly cost to between N500,000 and N600,000. “I spent a lot on surgery. Dialysis costs N70k a day, but at an exclusive place, I sometimes had 3 sessions a week, costing N500k. A minimum-wage person wouldn’t cope. I waited a year for a transplant, which cost N31m,” Omori said.
He estimated that a patient undergoing dialysis for about a year while waiting for a transplant could spend as much as N31 million, excluding the cost of additional tests, medication, and possible complications. “So, a minimum-wage person is dead already on one session,” he stated.
Omori also recounted his unsuccessful attempt to receive a kidney from his brother, saying it took nine months to find a donor before doctors discovered that the kidney was not compatible with his body. “My brother gave me his kidney after it took us 9 months to find a donor. The doctor said my body wasn’t accepting it, that it didn’t match. The doctor tried again, but it wasn’t responding. I was pissed, and they said they would have to take me back to see how they could make my body accept it. My brother still has to live with only one kidney,” he said.
Reflecting on the financial demands of the treatment, Omori said even earning N1 million monthly would not be sufficient to cover the cost. “So, automatically, if your salary is even one million naira a month, it can’t serve you,” he said.
He said the experience also changed his perspective on the role of money and financial support during serious illness. “Even though money can’t buy happiness, money can still buy some time,” Omori said.
TG Omori revealed in 2024 that he underwent a kidney transplant, saying that he was alive only because his only brother donated one of his kidneys. To further confirm the development, Omori shared a photo of himself receiving treatment in the hospital, captioned, “Keep my spirit alive.”
His story has sparked conversations about the cost of healthcare in Nigeria and the need for improved access to affordable treatment for kidney disease and other chronic conditions. Health experts say the high cost of dialysis and transplants places an enormous financial burden on patients and their families, with many unable to afford the treatment they need.
The Nigerian Association of Nephrology has repeatedly called on the government to subsidise dialysis and transplant services, noting that thousands of Nigerians die each year from kidney failure because they cannot afford treatment. The association has also advocated for the inclusion of kidney care in the National Health Insurance Scheme to reduce the financial burden on patients.
As Omori continues his recovery, his story serves as a reminder of the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare system. For now, he is grateful for the support he has received and is determined to keep his spirit alive.
