Jamiu Abubakar
Founder, Clifford Kidney Foundation, Pastor Clifford Umeh
In a country where access to quality healthcare often depends on financial capacity, stories of sacrifice and humanity are rare. But for Pastor Clifford Umeh, compassion is not just a virtue—it is a calling that has defined his life’s mission. What began as a spontaneous decision inside a church has grown into a relentless campaign to save lives through the Clifford Kidney Foundation International.
A few days ago, Pastor Umeh and members of his foundation visited the head office of City People Magazine in Gbagada, Lagos State, to share his story and advocate for public support. While granting an interview to the publisher, Seye Kehinde, alongside members of the editorial team, Pastor Umeh spoke extensively about his foundation, the motivation behind it, and his unwavering passion for helping patients battling kidney failure.
Pastor Umeh’s journey into kidney advocacy began unexpectedly during a church programme in Igando, Lagos.
“I walked into the church and saw a man lying on the altar. Pastors were surrounding him, praying,” he recalled. “When I asked what happened, they told me the man had lost his two kidneys. I was marveled.”
What followed stunned everyone present.
“I told them, I don’t believe in speaking in tongues alone—I believe in practical Christianity. I asked, ‘Who among us can donate one kidney to this man?’”
Silence filled the room.
“I said, take me to the hospital. I will donate my kidney to him free of charge.”
Rather than applause, his declaration was met with suspicion.
“Some pastors insulted me. They thought I came to defraud them. So I left and dropped my phone number.”
Three days later, the call came.
Pastor Umeh was taken to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where tests confirmed he was a suitable match. But even at the hospital, his decision raised concerns.
“When the doctors saw me, they asked, ‘Which kidney do you want to donate?’ I said, ‘I cannot give Cain and Abel offering. Give him the best.’”
His insistence led to further scrutiny.
“They said I was not normal. They took me to the Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba,” he said. “After all the tests, they found nothing wrong with my brain.”
Even then, another question lingered—money.
“The doctor asked me, ‘How much do you want to collect?’ I said, ‘I don’t want one naira. If you talk about money, I go.’”
Eventually, the transplant went ahead successfully.
“When I was discharged, I even gave the patient’s family ₦70,000 and left,” he said.
Three years later, the story took a devastating turn.
“He called me and said, ‘My body is swelling again.’ I was shocked,” Pastor Umeh recounted.
Further medical checks revealed troubling news.
“They told me the kidney I donated was already bad,” he said. “I wanted to faint.”
The financial burden of post-transplant care had become overwhelming.
“Every month, he was spending ₦500,000 on drugs. He sold his car, sold his land, and still could not cope.”
Then came the heartbreaking call.
“One morning, I got a call that he was dead. I was crying. He was crying before he died,” he said.
For many, such an experience would have ended the journey. But for Pastor Umeh, it marked a new beginning.
“I went back home and told my wife, we must sell what we have and come back to rescue these people,” he said.
That decision gave birth to the Clifford Kidney Foundation International.
“That is how this foundation came into existence,” he added.
Today, Pastor Umeh is a regular presence in hospitals—particularly LUTH—where he witnesses the growing scale of kidney-related illnesses.
“The number of kidney patients lying on sick beds is more than 100. Over 60 of them don’t have money for dialysis,” he revealed.
According to him, many Nigerians misunderstand the realities of kidney transplants.
“People think transplant is the end, but that is when the real problem starts,” he said. “How many Nigerians can afford ₦500,000 every month for drugs?”
He also raised concerns about inadequate patient awareness.
“They should tell patients the truth. Don’t make it look like transplant will solve everything. It is just another phase,” he warned.
For over eight years, Clifford Kidney Foundation International has operated largely on personal sacrifice and irregular donations.
“My capacity is small. Sometimes I help six or seven people at a time,” he explained. “But I go to hospitals, I pay for dialysis, I offset bills—I do what I can.”
His outreach extends beyond hospitals into communities.
“In my office, people come for help—₦10,000, ₦5,000. When I raise money, I go out and assist,” he said.
Despite the challenges, his commitment remains unwavering.
“If you are original, help does not come easy,” he noted. “But I believe if someone supports this foundation, it will become one of the best in Nigeria.”
Pastor Umeh is now making a passionate appeal to government, corporate bodies, and individuals.
“I am begging Nigerians, inside and outside the country—let us come together. Our people are dying,” he said.
He emphasized that support should go beyond funding surgeries.
“The real help is in sustaining patients after transplant. That is where the problem is,” he stressed.
At the heart of his journey is a deep conviction he describes as a guiding voice.
“I hear a voice. I cannot say I am qualified to hear the voice of God, but that voice has never asked me to do anything bad,” he said.
That conviction, he believes, continues to guide his mission.
For Pastor Umeh, life is not about wealth or possessions, but about impact.
“On the last day, nobody will ask how many houses or investments you have,” he said. “They will ask how many lives you affected.”
It is a philosophy he lives by daily.
“I have never wanted to buy a car while my people are dying in the hospital,” he added.
Despite limited resources, Pastor Umeh remains hopeful about the future of his foundation.
“I want to do more. I want to see this foundation go into hospitals, support diagnosis, and help people live,” he said.
For now, he continues his work—one patient, one intervention, one life at a time.
In a healthcare system strained by inequality and rising costs, Pastor Clifford Umeh’s story stands as both an inspiration and a challenge—a reminder that beyond policies and institutions, humanity still has a role to play. Just as he puts it:
“Remove religion. As far as love is concerned, we are one.”
Jamiu Abubakar
08085185886
Source: CityPeopleOnline | Read the Full Story…
