There has been a constant increase in the average life expectancy of people across India, primarily due to better healthcare services and a reduction in child mortality rates. However, with an increase in life expectancy, comes an upsurge in the existence of lifestyle disease. These lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension contribute to an increase in chronic issues related to the kidney.
Approximately 800 per million people are affected by chronic heart diseases. Most of them with kidney failure or kidney disease urgently need a kidney transplant to lead healthy normal lives. The Cost of a kidney transplant and the match with the correct donor are two of the most important barriers in getting the dysfunctional kidney replaced.
- Concept of Kidney Transplant:
Surgery performed to replace a diseased kidney with a kidney from a healthy donor is referred to as a kidney transplant surgery. In the case of the kidney received from a deceased donor, the surgery is called cadaveric renal transplant surgery. Although humans are blessed with two kidneys, a person can function efficiently even with one healthy kidney.
- Current trends of kidney transplant
The kidney transplant program has undergone a massive transformation in the last 45 years. Currently, ranking in the second position after the USA, there are a lot of hospitals in India that operate on patients suffering from kidney issues. Artemis Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital are some of the top rating hospitals to get a kidney transplant done. The kidney transplant price varies from hospital to hospital.
- Conditions that demand a kidney transplant
Kidney transplant is definitely required for people whose kidneys have suffered 90% damage to their ability to function. A kidney transplant is a crucial surgery and as like with any other major surgeries, there are some risks associated with this procedure. Infection post-surgery, heart attack, rejection by the body to accept the donated kidney and internal bleeding are some of the common risks associated. However, despite all the risk associated, kidney transplant is the best solution for a person suffering from end-stage kidney disease.
- Cost involved in the surgery
The cost of kidney transplants in India costs around between 13,000 to 16,000 US Dollars and the care after the surgery can go up to 100 dollars per month. Kidney transplant price varies based on the location and the reputation of the hospital, along with the consideration of the patient’s health complications. The cost of the surgery is higher in metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata over tier-2 cities.
- Finding a donor
The hardest part about the kidney transplant surgery is finding the correct donor. There are two types of donors; living donor and the dead donor. The recipient, as well as the donor, need to be tested positive for the matching blood type. Though incompatible blood type pairing is possible, it puts the patient at a higher risk after the transplant.
Final Words
India is one of the biggest markets for an organ transplant and hence off lately it has become increasingly popular amongst foreign nationals. Sure, there is a lack of awareness and hesitation amongst the donors and the recipients, but with every passing day, the situation is getting better.