30 Successful Kidney Transplants in a Single Month at Nepal’s National Transplant Center

Summary:
In a single month, Nepal’s Shahid Dharmabhakta National Transplant Center successfully performed kidney transplants on 30 patients. During the fiscal year 2081-82 (2024-25), the center completed 186 kidney and 8 liver transplants. The center also expanded services to four provinces (Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, Lumbini) and plans to cover all seven provinces soon.

Key facts:

• Patients’ ages ranged from 14 to 71 years; about 80% were between 20 and 49 years old.
• Among recipients, 73% were male and 27% female; among donors, 70% were female and 30% male.
• Patients came from all seven provinces, with the highest numbers from Bagmati (32%) and Koshi (27%).
• Ethnic distribution: 52% indigenous groups, 26% Brahmin/Chhetri, 11% Madhesi, 9% Dalit, and 2% Muslim.
• The center has conducted a total of 1,471 kidney and 34 liver transplants since its establishment 13 years ago.
• Successful transplants were also done in regional hospitals in Surkhet, Pokhara, and Bheri.
• A unique case involved transplanting both a kidney and liver from a brain-dead donor to one recipient.

The center is led by transplant surgeon Dr. Pukar Chandra Shrestha and aims to make transplant services accessible nationwide.

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