Abia Specialist Hospital CMD, Dr. Okwuonu, Makes History As First African-Based Board Member Of ISFA

The Chief Medical Director of Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Dr. Chimezie Okwuonu, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by being elected into the board of the International Society for Apheresis (ISFA), becoming the first African-based physician and only the second Black person in the history of the global body to hold such a position.

Dr. Okwuonu, a respected nephrologist and transplant specialist, was elected during the ISFA’s global meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday, drawing accolades from across Nigeria’s medical community.

His election is seen as a landmark for African representation in global medical governance, positioning him to influence policies, clinical practices, and equitable access to life-saving apheresis therapies across Africa.

Reacting to his election, Dr. Okwuonu expressed deep humility and a renewed sense of responsibility, stating, “It is a great honour to be entrusted with this role. I am particularly passionate about increasing awareness and improving the practice of apheresis in Africa. We must ensure this life-saving technology becomes more accessible to our people.”

Apheresis, a sophisticated medical procedure that separates and removes harmful substances from the blood, plays a crucial role in managing autoimmune diseases, kidney failure, haematological disorders, and post-transplant complications. It is especially vital in kidney transplantation where it facilitates desensitisation, manages antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), and enables transplants across incompatible blood groups.

Dr. Okwuonu noted that most Nigerian kidney patients face difficulties securing compatible donors due to high antibody levels from prior transfusions or pregnancies. Apheresis helps remove these antibodies, improving transplant success rates.

While highlighting its benefits, the physician also raised concerns over rising complications associated with therapeutic apheresis, especially in transplant patients. Drawing from a retrospective study conducted at the University of Virginia Health on 131 patients undergoing 860 apheresis sessions, he identified hypocalcaemia as the most common complication—linked to citrate-based anticoagulants used during the procedure.

“Symptoms of hypocalcaemia can escalate rapidly, from numbness to seizures and cardiac arrest. The use of fresh frozen plasma with citrate further elevates the risk,” he explained.

Other complications he outlined include bleeding, allergic reactions, immunoglobulin depletion, and catheter-related infections. He emphasized the importance of increased clinical vigilance and patient-specific protocols to enhance outcomes.

Okwuonu, who also serves as Clinical Care Coordinator and Quality Assessment Lead at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, led the first successful kidney transplant in Southeast Nigeria in 2017 and is the region’s first certified transplant nephrologist.

He has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s renal health policy landscape, participating in the drafting of national guidelines for chronic kidney disease and organ transplantation, and currently serves on national nephrology committees focusing on dialysis and acute kidney injury.

He pledged to use his new role on the ISFA board to foster international collaborations, develop African capacity through research and training, and champion equitable inclusion in global apheresis practices.

“I will continue to advocate for policies that break the cost and technology barriers limiting access to apheresis in Africa. Our patients deserve the best, and I am committed to making that a reality,” he added.

The ISFA 2025 Bangkok conference, where his election took place, brought together global experts in nephrology, haematology, and critical care. During the event, participants discussed the future of apheresis, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and shared innovations aimed at improving global health outcomes.

Since the announcement of his election, Nigeria’s medical fraternity has celebrated Dr. Okwuonu’s achievement as a significant win for African medicine and a catalyst for broader representation in international medical discourse.