A 62-year-old Rick Slayman, the first patient who received the world’s first transplant of a genetically modified pig kidney, has died nearly two months post-operation, Massachusetts General Hospital announced.

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), United States announced the development on Sunday saying there was no indication his death was as a result of the transplant.

On March 16, surgeons at the hospital transplanted a pig’s kidney into 62-year-old Richard Slayman, a living human recipient, for the first time.

The hospital said a genetically-edited pig kidney was used for the “successful” surgery, which took four hours.

Slayman has been living with type 2 diabetes and hypertension for years.

He was on dialysis for many years before receiving a kidney transplant from a deceased human donor in December 2018.

The kidney began to fail about five years later and Slayman was forced to resume dialysis in May 2023.

The patient was discharged from hospital in April, almost three weeks after the operation.

Slayman’s relatives said his story was an inspiration and said one of the reasons he underwent this procedure was to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive.

“Rick accomplished that goal and his hope and optimism will endure forever,” he said.

“To us, Rick was a kind-hearted man with a quick-witted sense of humour who was fiercely dedicated to his family, friends, and co-workers.”

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has announced the election of new executive leaders at its 2024 Annual Delegates Meeting held in Calabar, Cross River State.  

The association aims to harness the collective strengths of its members to advance healthcare delivery across the nation. 

Bala Audu, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the current Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Azare, Bauchi State, has been elected as the National President of the NMA.  

Prof. Audu is set to lead the association for the next two years, alongside a team of newly elected executives. 

• Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, previously the NMA Chairman for the Lagos Zone, will serve as the National 1st Vice-President.  
• Dr. Usha Anenga steps in as the 2nd Vice-President. The roles of National Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General will be filled by Dr. Ben Egbo and Dr. Wale Lasisi, respectively. 

In his statement, Dr. Olowojebutu emphasized the collaborative spirit within the NMA, highlighting that the association represents a diverse community of healthcare professionals each contributing unique talents and perspectives.  

“There are no winners or vanquished in our association, only colleagues bound together by a common dedication to the health and well-being of our members and communities,” he remarked. 

Dr. Olowojebutu also stressed the importance of unity and solidarity in overcoming the challenges faced by the healthcare sector in Nigeria. He acknowledged the crucial roles all members play, regardless of the election’s outcome, in shaping the future of the profession and the national health system. 

This new leadership team is expected to bring renewed vigour to the NMA’s efforts in improving healthcare delivery, advocating for medical professionals, and ultimately enhancing the well-being of communities across Nigeria. 

Tijjani Babangida, the former Super Eagles player, has lost Fadil, his one-year-old son, in a car crash involving his family along the Kaduna-Zaria highway.

Last Thursday, Babangida was travelling with his family — Maryam, his wife, their son, and Ibrahim, his brother — and his maid when the car incident occurred.

Ibrahim was said to have died on the spot while the other occupants in the vehicle were rushed to the hospital.

But in a recent update, Harrison Jalla, chairman of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Task Force, disclosed that Babangida’s son also died due to injury sustained in the accident.

“Yes he eventually lost the son, a one-year-old boy,” Jalla told TheCable on Sunday evening.

Babangida’s wife is also said to have lost an eye due to the severe injury to her face. She is said to be receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

It is also reported that their maid suffered a fracture in her leg.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) on Sunday paid a courtesy visit to Babangida at the hospital.

The delegation consoled the former Eagles player over the deaths of his brother and son. They also prayed for a quick recovery for Babangida and his wife, “who has undergone a successful facial surgery”.

Babangida is the president of PFAN and was a member of the Nigeria U-23 team that won the gold medal in football at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

He had a decade with the Super Eagles, where he became famous for his speed down the wings.