Kidney Transplant in India

Are you looking for effective kidney transplant options? 

India is a global leader in advanced transplant procedures. With a success rate of 95% to 98%, India offers advanced medical technology, highly skilled surgeons, and affordable care.

Did you know? The kidney transplant program in India is the second largest procedure after the United States.

It’s Because of advanced facilities and ethical practices, India ensures seamless treatment and recovery for international patients seeking treatment in India.

So, what are you waiting for? Take the first step towards a healthier life and learn about kidney transplant options available in India today.

What is a Kidney Transplant? 

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure in which a healthy kidney from a donor is transplanted into a patient suffering from end-stage renal disease. This procedure is an option for individuals whose kidneys have lost their ability to function properly, leading to kidney failure.

Kidney transplantation offers several advantages over dialysis, which is a treatment method used to filter the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform this function. Transplantation can improve quality of life and enhance survival rates.

However, it is a major procedure that requires careful matching between the donor and recipient. Additionally, recipients must take lifelong immunosuppressive medications to reduce the risk of organ rejection.

Technology Used in Kidney Transplant in India

A kidney transplant is a life-saving procedure for patients exploring treatment options for end-stage renal disease. Technological advancements have made the process more efficient, less invasive, and safer for patients. Below is a list of technologies used in kidney transplants in India:

Robotic-assisted Surgery

The robotic surgical approach has gained popularity in kidney transplantation, allowing for more precise surgical movements and reducing the need for larger incisions.

Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy

It is a minimally invasive surgical technique that facilitates the removal of a kidney from the donor's body through a small incision in the abdomen.

Machine Perfusion

This technology preserves kidneys for transplantation by pumping a solution through the organ, maintaining its functionality until it can be transplanted.

3D Printing

It’s been used in the field of transplantation that helps to create models of the kidney which helps surgeons to plan the surgery.

Artificial Intelligence

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been utilized in the field of transplantation to enhance the matching process between donors and recipients. AI can analyze large volumes of data to identify the best matches, ultimately improving transplantation outcomes.

Bioengineering

In kidney transplantation, this approach helps to develop new biomaterials that can improve the function of the transplanted kidney and reduce the risk of complications.

Ex Vivo Kidney Perfusion

This technique involves removing the kidney from the donor's body and placing it in a perfusion machine. This method allows for monitoring and assessment of the kidney's function before transplantation, which helps to improve the outcomes of the transplant.

A Brief History: The First Kidney Transplant in India

Nowadays, kidney transplants might be routine but there was a time when it was tough for doctors to proceed. Many of us don’t know that, the first kidney transplant was performed at the Christian Medical College, Vellore on 2nd February 1971, by Dr. Mohan Rao who led the team, a surgeon, and Dr. K.V. Johny, a nephrologist. It's been 54 years now, and since then the CMC hospital has performed over 3,755 transplants and over 188 deceased donor transplants.

Additionally, this landmark procedure marked a significant advancement in Indian medical history which laid the foundation for the development of kidney transplantation programs across the country. 

Following this, kidney transplant activities were expanded nationwide during the 1970s and 1980s by establishing a robust framework for renal care and transplantation services in India.

Cost of Kidney Transplant in India

As compared to Western countries, the cost of a kidney transplant in India is 13000-16000 USD, yet it includes various factors such as evaluation cost, surgery cost, and further fees if necessary.

Factors Affecting the Kidney Transplant Cost in India

The cost of a kidney transplant in India is affordable as compared to Western countries, yet some factors can affect the cost of a kidney transplant in India which include:

Type of Procedure

The type of procedure can affect the overall cost of a kidney transplant. There are two types of procedures which are open surgery and laparoscopic surgery, with laparoscopic surgery offering more benefits than open surgery.

Hospital Stay

The type of hospital you choose for your treatment can also affect the overall cost of treatment which means if you choose hospitals that are accredited by international organizations such as JCI and NABH, then these hospitals charge higher fees due to their advanced facilities and care.

Surgeon’s Fee

Kidney transplants require specialization, and highly qualified surgeons can affect the cost of the treatment because skilled and experienced surgeons charge higher fees for their consultations.

Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Before and after transplantation, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation are utilized to help patients regain muscle strength, prevent extreme fatigue, and enhance aerobic capacity in individuals with kidney disease, which may impact treatment costs.

Hospital Stay

The hospital stay after transplantation may impact the cost, because the more you stay in the hospital the daily chs increase.

Best Kidney Transplant Hospitals in India

Apollo, New Delhi

Apollo, Delhi is the best for kidney transplants with a dedicated team of nephrologists who understand kidney disease, development, progression, treatment, and prevention.

Medanta - The Medicity Hospital

Medanta is a high-volume kidney transplant center with advanced infrastructure and performs about 250+ kidney transplants annually.

BLK Max Hospital

BLK MAX Hospital offers a robust transplant program with a multidisciplinary approach that helps to improve the collaborative efforts of Nephrologists.

Artemis Hospital

Artemis Health Institute is one of the leading healthcare institutes that is renowned for being the first hospital to get accreditation from both JCI and NABH. They offer a wide range of medical services including nephrology which ensures that patients get complete care under one roof.

Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket

Max Saket is widely recognized as one of the leading hospitals in India, accredited by international organizations such as JCI and NABH. Additionally, this hospital uses the latest technology and offers services in over 38 specialized areas, ensuring the highest quality healthcare.

Amrita Hospital, Faridabad

Artemis Hospital is well known for its medical facilities, including intensive care, advanced infrastructure, and the latest technologies. It has a highly skilled team of doctors dedicated to providing care tailored to patients' specific needs.

Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon

Fortis Memorial Research Institute is known for advanced kidney transplants with a dedicated team of nephrologists, transplant surgeons, and a support staff who work together to provide personalized care.

Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital

Sahydari Hospital has the largest network of hospitals in Western India, making it a leading healthcare institution in the region.

Manipal Hospital Dwarka

Mahipal Hospital has a dedicated Center of Excellence for organ transplants, making it one of the few facilities specializing in kidney transplants.

Best Kidney Transplant Doctors in India

Dr. Sandeep Guleria

He’s an award-winning surgeon specializing in kidney transplants and gastrointestinal surgery and is credited with having performed India’s first two successful kidney transplants in the subcontinent.

Dr. Sanjay Gogoi

He has over 25 years of experience in comprehensive urology and has performed over 1,000 kidney transplants. Additionally, he has conducted one of the largest series of pediatric kidney transplants in India.

Dr. Shafiq Ahmed

He is a renowned urologist, urologic oncologist, and robotic kidney transplant surgeon with over 18 years of experience. He has performed more than 15,000 urological procedures to date, with a focus on robotic kidney transplants.

Dr. Dushyant Nadar

He is a highly regarded urologist specializing in robotic and renal transplant surgery, known for his exceptional expertise and patient-centered approach. He has successfully performed over 2000 challenging kidney transplants.

Dr. Anant Kumar

He is a highly experienced urology and kidney transplant surgeon with over 35 years of experience and serves as the director of the Department of Urology, Renal Transplantation, and Robotics.

Dr. Dinesh Khullar

He is the chairman of the nephrology department and renal transplant medicine, with over 25 years of experience as a renal transplant physician, having performed more than 5,000 kidney transplants.

Dr. Jitendra Kumar

He is a distinguished expert in nephrology and kidney transplant medicine, widely recognized as one of the best nephrologists in the field. He serves as the chairman of the Department of Renal Science and Transplant Medicine and is a former president of the Delhi Nephrology Society.

Dr. Salil Jain

He is well-known in nephrology and regarded as one of the best nephrologists. With over 24 years of experience, his expertise includes nephrology and organ transplantation, with a particular focus on kidney transplants.

Dr. Rajiv Yadav

He has over two decades of experience in urological diseases, including kidney, prostate, and urinary bladder cancers. Additionally, he is known for providing the highest standard of care to minimize his patient’s discomfort.

Dr. Vikas Jain

He is a well-known and experienced urologist, robotic surgeon, and kidney transplant specialist. His commitment to excellence in urological care and kidney transplant surgery is reflected in his track record of successful surgical outcomes.

How do you register for a kidney transplant in India as a foreign patient? 

To register for a kidney transplant in India you need to complete the online registration form on the NOTTO website that will be done by the hospitals you are associated with. Here are the steps for a kidney transplant through NOTTO:

• Go to the official NOTTO website at www.notto.gov.in . 
• Then, complete your registration form.
• After this, the kidney advisory committee will review your registration and urgency criteria.
• If approved, then you will be added to the active list.

Note: Foreign patients who require deceased donors can also register through the hospital and the information will be added to the waiting list. Additionally, this decision will only be taken if no suitable Indian patient is available nationwide.

Rules and Regulations:

• No Indian living donor is allowed to donate his or her organs to a foreigner unless he or she is near a relative of the recipient.
• Donors must be of the age of 18 years or above.
• Treatments requiring organ transplants shall be permitted only on a medical visa which is mandatory for both organ donor and recipient.
• To get the treatment of organ transplant in India then all foreign patients are requested to register themselves by the treating hospital with the national registry maintained by NOTTO.

Kidney Transplant Rules in India: What Patients Should Know

Navigating the kidney transplant process in India needs a thorough understanding of the country’s legal framework which is designed to ensure ethical practices and prevent organ trafficking. Here are some guidelines that you should know:

Legal Framework

THOA, transplantation of human organs was established in 1994 and has been updated over the years which aims to control how organs are donated and transplanted in India. Moreover, this organization aims to stop the illegal trade in human organs and to support ethical practices in organ transplantation.

Donor Eligibility

In India, there are two types of donors include:

• Living donors can include close relatives such as parents, siblings, children, and spouses.
• Deceased donors include patients who are brain dead; brain death is legally recognized in India, which facilitates deceased organ donation.

Authorization Committees

Hospitals conducting transplants must form an authorization committee to assess and approve cases, particularly when the donor is not a relative. Furthermore, these committees confirm the authenticity of the donor-recipient relationship and ensure no commercial transactions are involved.

Documentation Requirements

There must be proper documentation for the recipient and donor which includes:

• Medical Passport 
• National Identity card (original copy translated into English)
• Relationship proof
• Medical compatibility
• Medical Visa 
• Birth certificate 
• Family photo
• No objection to donor close relatives

Additionally, affidavits and legal documents may be required to create the legitimacy of the donation.

Penalties for Violations

Getting engaged in the commercial trade of organs is a punishable offense under Indian law.

Recent Developments

In 2022, the Indian government revised the National Organ Transplantation Guidelines. These changes allowed individuals aged 65 and older to receive organs from deceased donors and reduced registration fees for organ transplants. This initiative aims to make transplant procedures more accessible to those in need.

Furthermore, knowing these regulations is important for patients considering a kidney transplant in India.

Legal Requirements for Kidney Transplants in India

Kidney donation can occur through either living donors or deceased donors. Living donors voluntarily donate one of their kidneys, while deceased donors are individuals who have passed away, and their organs are harvested for transplantation.

In India, living donors must be blood relatives of the recipient. This means that patients are required to find a living donor who is a close relative.

Additionally, you need to obtain a certificate from the hospital committee that verifies their relationship with the recipient and their consent for donation.

Waiting List for Kidney Transplant in India

Once you’re on the waiting list for the kidney transplant then you may get called for a deceased donor quickly, or you have to wait years for it. However, the average time limit is 2 to 5 years at most centers, but it can be longer. Yet you can discuss all your doubts with your transplant team about their list and how specific situations will affect your waiting time.

However, the waiting list depends on several factors which include:

• The longer you are on dialysis, the higher your chances of being on the waiting list.
• If you have a rare blood type then it's hard to get the match.

Well, you can be on the waiting list at more than one transplant center which helps to increase your chances of getting a kidney more quickly which is known as multi-listing.

There’s another way to get a faster transplant which is having a living kidney donor, where you don’t have to wait years for a kidney and you can schedule your surgery at the right time.

How to Choose the Best Hospital for Kidney Transplant in India

While selecting the best hospital for kidney transplants in India, you need to consider some major factors which include:

• Choose hospitals that are accredited by international organizations such as JCI and NABH which ensure adherence to quality and safety standards for patients.
• Check the qualifications and experience of the transplant surgeons and medical staff which will help you to get insights about their expertise in successful transplants.
• Check about the success rate of kidney transplants in the hospital that you’ve chosen which reflects the quality of care and expertise.
• Additionally, advanced facilities and technologies contribute to better outcomes to better transplant outcomes. So, you should choose hospitals that are equipped with the latest technologies and advanced operating theaters.

Success Rates of Kidney Transplants in India

India is a top choice for kidney transplants, with a success rate of 95% to 98%. This high success rate shows the skill of the transplant surgeons and the advanced medical technology available, along with excellent post-operative care.

Kidney Transplant Recovery in India

Recovering from a kidney transplant typically takes 2 to 6 weeks and involves a structured process to ensure the longevity of the transplanted kidney and the overall health of the patient.

FAQs

1. Who is the best kidney transplant doctor in India?

Dr. Sanjay Gogoi is the best kidney transplant surgeon in India.

2. What is the first artificial kidney transplant in India?

The first successful artificial kidney transplant in India was performed on 2nd Feb 1971 at Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore by Dr. Mohan Rao and Dr. K. V. Johny.

3. How to register for a kidney transplant in India?

Hospitals in India that perform transplants can create an account on the website and request a username and password. After submitting the request, an email will be sent to the society's secretary. Then, the password will then be provided within 24 to 48 hours.

4. What are the kidney transplant rules in India?

In India, kidney transplants usually allow living donations from close family members like parents, siblings, spouses, and children. If the donor is not a close relative, special permission is needed from an Authorization Committee. This is to make sure that organ donation is done freely and not for money or any other reason.

5. What is the legal procedure for kidney transplants in India?

In India, a kidney transplant can only be performed with the permission of an Authorization Committee, generally, requiring the donor to be a close relative of the recipient, and thorough documentation to prove the relationship, with additional inspection for non-related donors to prevent organ.