India is a hub for affordable kidney transplants and has the best skills to carry out the procedures. The country is now recognized as a destination for kidney transplants by the international patients, stated Dr Mohan Keshavamurthy, urologist and transplant surgeon at Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore.


While India is recognized for cardiac surgical expertise and has scores of patients flocking to undertake procedures, kidney transplants have gained considerable momentum in the last few years in the medical tourism segment. Unlike cardiac surgery, which requires both advanced medical equipment and expertise, kidney transplants do not entail sophisticated technology but requires high surgical skills and team work. This is where Indian urologists and nephrologists have scored over others. Educated and trained abroad, they have built sound knowledge, persuaded in honing skills incorporating in their practice the latest advances from across the globe which has held in good stead, stated Dr Keshavamurthy.


Globally, hospitals are facing an acute shortage of transplant surgeons making Indian hospitals and its team of experts in demand. Almost 50 percent of the world’s best transplant teams constitute Indian surgeons making the country much-sought after by foreign patients for joint replacement and transplant, he said.


Beyond surgical expertise, the success of kidney transplant procedures today is attributed to the availability of latest immunosuppresants which are better drugs that can control and save a kidney. Over the years, novel surgical techniques, donor selection and postoperative care have also all contributed to improved outcomes for organ transplants, pointed out Dr Keshavamurthy.


Only two drug molecules: tacrolimus launched by Japan-based Fujisawa and cyclosporine by Novartis are the only classical immunosuppressant medicines mainly used after organ transplant which reduces risk of donor organ rejection. Indian pharma companies, known for its generic drug production, have now been able to launch many brands which are high quality and affordable. The cost of immunosuppresants has fallen from Rs.25,000 a decade ago to 6,000 in 2006 and now to Rs.1,400, he said.


The prevalence of renal failure in India needing some form of Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) is 0.8 to 1.4 per cent of the population. Around 1.5 million people need dialysis or kidney transplantation to prolong life. Only 10 per cent are provided with renal replacement therapy. India performs approximately 3,000 kidney transplants a year which is 2 per cent of the eligible candidates. The critical lacunae are lack of cadaver organs and transplant centres. Despite the cost-effective drugs and transplant expertise, the country lacks the social spirit to donate kidneys and there also needs considerable awareness on cadaver transplants.


According to recent statistics from the World Health Organization, around 100,000 solid organ transplants are performed every year worldwide. Of this figure, 68300 are kidney transplants, 19900 are liver transplants, 5200 are heart transplants, 3250 are lung transplants and 2800 are pancreas transplants. Overall, renal transplants account for almost 69 per cent of all solid organ transplants, worldwide.