BY JULIUS MUHUMUZA

Mulago Hospital has registered a successful Kidney transplant following the discharge of the patient and the donor which transplant was carried out on 20th December 2023 by a team of Ugandan surgeons with support from doctors of Yashoda Hospitals in India.

This was revealed by Mulago hospital management in a press a briefing that was carried out today at the facility.

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VT/NEXT

On 20th December 2023, Mulago Referral Hospital performed the first-ever kidney transplant in Uganda at the facility by a team of Ugandans with the support of doctors from Yashoda Hospitals in India led by Dr. A. Sashi Kiran.

While addressing the Press at Mulago Hospital Boardroom, Dr Rosemary Byanyima the Acting Executive Director of Mulago Hospital, revealed that they had discharged both the patient and the donor an indicator that the transplant was successful.

Dr. Byanyima further states that the recipient of the transplant had been undergoing dialysis for two years. Following the successful transplantation carried out by the Ugandan medical team, the patient is now able to produce an appropriate amount of urine, indicating that the transplanted kidney is fully functional.

She however urged the recipient to continue observing infection prevention measures and visit the hospital regularly for reviews.

Mulago Hospital applauded the government of Uganda for the support it rendered to the facility to put in place the transplant Unit.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine represented by Acting Commissioner Clinical Services Dr. Rony Bahatungire said that the successful kidney transplant indicates that the country has reached a milestone and has developed a professional team of health care practitioners.

Dr. Batungire additionally emphasised that the Ministry of Health is dedicated to assisting healthcare professionals in performing a greater number of surgeries, thereby eliminating the need to refer Ugandans who require these services to other countries.

Dr. Frank Asiimwe and Dr Peace Bagasha some of the surgeons that carried out the transplant explained the status that both the donor and recipient are in after being discharged.

According to Dr. Byanyima, if Mulago Hospital is provided with additional human resources, the facility will be capable of handling 2 or more patients per day. However, it is currently restricted to a limited number of patients.

Kidney disease in Uganda is increasing and is among the top 10 causes of death, with a case fatality rate of 21% among patients admitted with Chronic Kidney Disease.

In Uganda, kidney complications that need referrals to outside countries, come second to heart complications which prompted Mulago National Referral Hospital to start conducting, organ transplants.