A kidney transplant in Nigeria now costs about ₦25 million to ₦30 million (about US$18,800 to US$22,500), according to Nigerian kidney specialists in March 2026. In India, the hospital treatment for an international patient costs from about US$13,000. Here is what each option involves, what the law in India asks of you, and how MedPanda helps.
Key points
- Kidney transplant prices in Nigeria have roughly tripled in recent years.
- In India, hospital treatment starts from about US$13,000 for international patients.
- Your donor will usually need to be a close family member, and a hospital committee must approve the case.
- MedPanda never arranges, finds or pays donors.
Kidney transplant costs at a glance
About 31% to 78% less in India
| Compared with | Price there | India, with MedPanda | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | US$18,800 to US$22,500 | US$13,000 | US$5,800 to US$9,500 (31% to 42%) |
| Ghana | US$59,700 | US$13,000 | US$46,700 (78%) |
India: indicative starting price, October 2026. Nigeria: ₦25 million to ₦30 million, reported in March 2026. Ghana: about GH¢700,000, reported in 2023. Savings compare hospital costs only. The India figure is for the hospital treatment. Flights, visas and about 6 to 8 weeks’ stay for you and your donor are extra, and we help you plan them. The hospital confirms the final price after reviewing your medical records. US dollar figures use early October 2026 exchange rates.
What does dialysis cost?
Haemodialysis is usually needed three times a week for life, unless you have a transplant.
| Where | Cost per session | Cost for a year (3 sessions a week) |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria (private, March 2026) | ₦50,000 to ₦80,000 | About ₦7.8 million to ₦12.5 million |
| Ghana (2023) | GH¢350 to GH¢700 | About GH¢55,000 to GH¢109,000 |
Nigeria’s government-subsidised rate at selected centres is lower (₦12,000 per session in March 2026). Whether a transplant is right for you is a medical decision for your kidney specialist and the transplant team.
Indian law for patients from abroad: read this first
- Your donor will usually need to be a close relative: a husband or wife, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, grandparent or grandchild.
- Your embassy must certify the relationship on an official form (Form 21). Bring original birth or marriage certificates.
- A DNA test may be needed if the papers are not enough.
- A hospital committee must approve the case before surgery. You and your donor are interviewed in person.
- Buying or selling organs is a serious crime in India, with prison sentences of 5 to 10 years.
MedPanda never arranges, finds or pays donors, and we will not work on any case where we believe an organ is being bought or sold.
How it works with MedPanda
- Free consultation. Tell us about your kidney condition and your possible donor.
- Records reviewed by transplant teams at partner hospitals, before you travel.
- Written quote and plan, including your donor’s care.
- Papers, visas and a place to stay for you and your donor, including the embassy certificate and airport pick-up.
- Treatment in India. Tests, committee approval, then surgery. Most patients stay in hospital for 4 to 10 days, and donors for 3 to 4 days.
- Lifetime Health Passport. All your scans, reports and discharge papers are kept together in one place, ready for your doctor at home.
- Check-ups nearby, then home. You stay close to the hospital for several weeks, then your records go to your kidney doctor at home, and we stay in touch.
After a transplant you take anti-rejection medicines for life. Before you travel, check with your kidney doctor at home that they can take over your care and that the medicines are available where you live. Remember: everyone travelling from Nigeria or Ghana needs an original yellow fever certificate for India.
Partner hospitals that offer kidney transplants
These partner hospitals list kidney transplant on their own websites:
- Aster Medcity, Kochi
- Aster MIMS, Kozhikode
- Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode
- Meitra Hospital, Kozhikode
- Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi
- Apollo Hospitals, Chennai
- Gleneagles Hospitals, Mumbai
- Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram
- STAR Hospitals, Hyderabad
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kidney transplant cost in Nigeria?
Nigerian kidney specialists put it at about ₦25 million to ₦30 million in March 2026, depending on the hospital and location. Anti-rejection medicines afterwards are an extra monthly cost.
How much does a kidney transplant cost in India?
For international patients, the indicative hospital price starts from about US$13,000 (October 2026). The hospital confirms the final price after reviewing your medical records.
Can a foreigner get a kidney transplant in India?
Yes, but the rules are strict. Your donor will usually need to be a close relative, your embassy must certify the relationship, and a hospital committee must approve the case before surgery.
How long does a transplanted kidney last?
The NHS says about 9 in 10 transplanted kidneys still work after 5 years, and many work for 10 years or more. Results depend on age, health and the cause of kidney failure, so this is not a prediction for you.
How much is dialysis in Ghana?
Ghana’s health authorities put it at GH¢350 to GH¢700 per session in 2023, usually three sessions a week.
Talk to us about a kidney transplant
Tell us about your situation and your possible donor, and we’ll explain your options and the paperwork. Free, with no pressure.
Checked by Dr Sreeraj K.V (MBBS, DNB), Reg. No. 93547, on 10 October 2026.
MedPanda is a care-coordination service. We don’t diagnose or give medical advice. Your treating doctor decides what treatment, if any, is right for you.
Sources
- The Guardian (Nigeria): World Kidney Day, dialysis hits N80,000 per session, transplant N30m (12 March 2026)
- Ghanaian Times: Govt moves to support kidney transplantation at reduced cost (17 November 2023)
- NHS: Chronic kidney disease, treatment; NHS: Dialysis
- NHS Blood and Transplant: Receiving a kidney; At the transplant centre; Benefits and risks
- Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act 1994 (as amended 2011) and Rules 2014, Government of India
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India: yellow fever advisory; High Commission of India, Abuja; Government of India e-Visa
