Renal problems are becoming very common because of various lifestyle health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Inappropriate diet, consuming too much sugary food, alcohol consumption, and smoking are also responsible. However, not all renal problems mean kidney failure. Usually, kidney failure indicates, at least, a 90% impairment of the kidney’s filtration capacity. In such cases, the only treatment options available are undergoing regular dialysis or transplantation of the kidney.
Are you an international patient looking for kidney replacement? This article discusses how to choose the best kidney transplant hospitals in India.
Why choose India for kidney transplant surgery?
India is home to several top hospitals for kidney-related treatments. Every year, hundreds of international patients from the Middle East, Africa, and other parts of the world travel to India for treatment of their renal problems, including kidney transplant surgery. The reasons behind the popularity of the best kidney transplant hospitals in India are:
Shorter waiting times for live kidney
For patients suffering from end-stage renal diseases, time is the most scarce resource. Their health conditions deteriorate severely with every passing day. Unlike many other countries, top Indian kidney treatment hospitals require less wait time. Patients with critical conditions can get live donors in a short time.
Expert doctors, surgeons, and medical technicians
The best kidney transplant hospitals in India enjoy a large pool of expert nephrologists and transplant surgeons. Many of them come with extensive experience in performing hundreds of transplant procedures.
Cost-effective treatment and post-surgery care
The availability of numerous expert medical professionals also makes the costs of surgery a lot more affordable in India compared to Western countries. Besides, the central government in India also offers policy support to hospitals offering treatments to international patients. This further reduces the treatment costs for international patients in many of the best kidney transplant hospitals in India.
Access to advanced diagnostic and treatment infrastructure
Every Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited leading kidney transplant hospital in India is well-equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic, medical imaging, and operation-theatre infrastructure. These hospitals cater to thousands of patients every year. Such a large number of patients allows them to achieve economies of scale. This means access to the latest medical technologies becomes a lot easier for the masses.
English-speaking medical and non-medical staff
India boasts one of the largest English-speaking populations among a number of countries. Most medical and non-medical professionals in any of the best kidney transplant hospitals in India are conversant in the English language. So, communication never becomes a problem for international patients. Besides, many of these hospitals also offer foreign language support to patients who are not comfortable in English.
Legalities of kidney transplantation in India
India’s organ transplant services are regulated under The Transplantation of Human Organs Act of 1994. It is a stringent law that protects the interests of donors and recipients. This act approves the donation of live kidneys from living persons and a brain-dead person as well. However, to become eligible for a kidney transplant in India, an international patient needs to submit several documents. These documents are:
- Valid passport
- Medical visa
- Donor’s letter of consent
- Detailed medical report of donor and recipient
- Proof of relationship with donor (if applicable)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the patient’s home country embassy
- Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing reports
- Blood test reports
- Treatment certificate from a recognized Indian hospital
Criteria of donor selection
As per the Transplantation of Human Organs Act of 1994 and the latest guidelines from the industry regulator, any of the best kidney transplant hospitals in India abide by the following criteria for donor selection.
- Age of a donor has to be between 18 to 55 years.
- A donor must be free of diseases, like diabetes, hypertension, and hepatitis (B or C).
- Blood group of a donor and a recipient should match.
- HLA of a donor and a recipient should match to minimize the chance of post-transplant organ rejection.
- Close relatives of a patient are a preferred choice for donating the kidney.
Essential tests for kidney donors
Whether receiving the kidney from close relatives or an unrelated person, any of the best kidney transplant doctors in India require the following test reports for approving the donor:
- Hepatitis B & C
- Human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) I & II
- Complete blood count (CBC), liver function test (LFT), kidney function test (KFT), and blood group
- Cross-matching in case of ABO compatible
- Anti-ABO antibody Titer in case of ABO-incompatible
- Random blood sugar, hemo-globin A1c
- Ultrasound sonography (USG) Whole abdomen
- Urine Routine & Microscopic
- Psychological evaluation and assessment
- Evaluation of the donor’s medical history
Bottomline
Any of the best kidney transplant hospitals in India can perform even the most complex transplant procedures. Many of these hospitals also have robotic-arm-assisted transplantation procedures for minimally invasive precision surgeries. Precision surgeries ensure faster recovery and minimal post-surgery complexities. However, it is important to consult with multiple hospitals before you zero in on any one as it helps to negotiate a better deal for quality renal treatment.
