CMD Abia Specialist Hospital, Dr. Okwuonu Recognized With ISN Fellowship For Pioneering Work In Kidney Disease Care

Dr. Chimezie Okwuonu, the Chief Medical Director of Abia Specialist Hospital, has been conferred with the esteemed Fellowship of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to kidney care.

The ISN President, Masaomi Nangaku, presented the award to Dr. Okwuonu at the just concluded World Conference of Nephrology 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

This prestigious honour is a testament to Dr. Okwuonu’s dedication and expertise in nephrology, and he is one of only two Africans recently selected for the ISN’s Emerging Leaders Programme. The award recognizes his significant contributions to nephrology care, research, and education in his region.

Dr. Okwuonu, a Consultant Nephrologist, was part of the pioneering team that successfully conducted the first kidney transplant at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia. He expressed his gratitude and humility upon receiving the global recognition, acknowledging God’s grace and vowing to maximize the opportunity to advance solutions for kidney-related ailments.

ABN TV had reported that only two persons were selected from Africa, and 13 people all over the world for the programme.

Okwuonu’s recent appointment by Gov. Alex Otti, as the CMD, Abia Specialist Hospital, is expected to bring to bare, his rich knowledge and expertise in Nephrology, and help position the hospital as a referral centre for kidney care in South East Nigeria.

He has already initiated moves to revive the dialysis centre at the hospital which has been moribund for over four years now.