Mulago National Referral Hospital is on the verge of achieving a significant milestone as it prepares to discharge a patient who recently underwent a kidney transplant by the end of this week. Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, the acting executive director of the hospital, confirmed that both the recipient and the donor were in good health, paving the way for further kidney transplant procedures.
Dr. Byanyima revealed the hospital’s plans to conduct a second kidney transplant before the end of the month, emphasizing their commitment to expanding such vital medical interventions. A kidney transplant involves surgically placing a healthy kidney from either a living or deceased donor into a recipient whose kidneys are no longer functioning properly.
The kidneys, essential organs responsible for filtering waste, minerals, and fluids from the blood by producing urine, play a crucial role in maintaining overall health. Mulago’s success in kidney transplants follows Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng’s announcement on December 20, 2023, that the hospital had performed its first successful kidney transplant on a patient who had been on dialysis for two years.
Mulago Hospital currently administers approximately 1,082 dialysis sessions each year for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease, also known as kidney failure. Similar dialysis services are offered at Kiruddu Hospital and regional referral hospitals in Mbarara and Lira.
Kidney failure is a medical condition where the kidneys fail to effectively filter waste products from the blood, leading to the need for procedures like dialysis to remove excess fluid and waste when the kidneys no longer function properly.
Recent studies indicate a 13% prevalence of kidney disease in the population, ranging from mild to end-stage. Approximately 2% of the population currently faces end-stage kidney disease, necessitating dialysis.
Dr. Aceng highlighted the establishment of the Transplant Council to oversee and regulate transplant procedures in Uganda. Given that kidney transplants are a new venture, the council’s capacity is being developed, and experts from Yashoda Hospitals in India are assessing the readiness of local theaters.
The hospital is meticulously analyzing all expenses related to patient care, encompassing pre-preparation, dialysis, and post-transplant stages. A comprehensive cost report will be communicated to the public, covering various aspects of the kidney transplant process.