Bathinda: AIIMS Bathinda is all set to launch Punjab’s first-ever renal transplant centre, marking a significant step forward in government healthcare services. The renal transplant program is anticipated to commence by the end of March after securing approval from the state government.
Dr Tarun Goyal, the official spokesperson for AIIMS has confirmed the ongoing inspections by teams from the Director General of Medical Education and Research (DGMER), a part of the state health department, to facilitate approval. The establishment of this facility at AIIMS Bathinda is expected to alleviate the strain on kidney patients at PGIMER Chandigarh, the sole government-funded hospital in the region currently offering similar services.
Dr Tarun Goyal informed Hindustan Times," Departments of nephrology and urology, crucial for renal transplantation, are functional well for almost two years. We are fully equipped with a team of super specialists from different departments, including cardiology, paediatrics and anaesthesia, and an intensive care unit as per the protocol for organ transplants." In the initial phase, only blood-related relatives will be accepted as donors for live renal transplants. This development addresses the absence of renal transplant services in public sector hospitals in Punjab. Associate professor in the urology department and transplant surgeon, Dr Kawaljit Singh Kaura will be serving as the nodal officer of the upcoming project and he told the Daily that during the second phase, the institute will initiate cadaveric transplants which will aim at harvesting kidneys from a brain-dead person with consent.
“We already have 25 dialysis patients who need kidney transplants. We hope to get a renal transplant license from DGMER in another month. After that patients awaiting transplant will undergo various tests for undergoing surgery,” said Dr Kaura.
The renal transplant department at PGIMER currently attracts patients from neighbouring states and even distant locations like the north-eastern states, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal. With a significantly lower cost compared to private facilities, the procedure at PGIMER is budget-friendly, totalling less than ₹1 lakh, covering medicines and a two-week hospital stay for both donor and recipient.
With AIIMS Bathinda setting up a renal transplant centre, a government facility will be able to provide similar renal services in line with PGIMER in Punjab.
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