HIV+ person has kidney transplant
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 21 2014 :
In a rare case, said to be the second of its kind in the country, doctors at Max Super Speciality Hospital (MSSH), Mohali successfully transplanted a kidney on a HIV positive patient, a Manipuri.
An MSSH statement received here conveying that the transplant is the second in an Indian national said the surgery was performed by a team of doctors, comprising of Dr Vinay Sakhuja, Director Nephrology & Transplant Medicine, Dr Sanand Bag, Senior Urologist & Transplant Surgeon and Dr Munish Chauhan, Senior Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician.
The development has given a new lease of hope to over 2 million HIV infected population in the country, especially those suffering from chronic kidney failure, expressed the statement adding that 35-year old State native Hari (name changed) had an unusual experience living with HIV.
He contracted this infection unknowingly in his teen through sharing needles among his peer group.
Later he detached himself from drugs, got a graduation degree and started working in family business.
About 10 years back, Hari was devastated when he was diagnosed to be positive for HIV, but fortunately had the family's support.
With the effective medication (ART), his general condition remained stable and he got married and was leading a normal life, said the Mohali medical institution noting that little did he know that in long term complication of HIV or for other reasons, he developed chronic kidney failure.
Desperate for help, the family enquired about dialysis or transplant treatment at many centers all over the country, but was denied treatment because of his HIV status.
Hapless and harried they approached MSSH, Mohali, where the doctors decided to treat the patient.
Hari's 27�yr old wife, Heena (name changed) donated one of her kidneys to her husband.
After successful surgery the patient was discharged with normal kidney function.
Addressing a press conference at a Sector 43 hotel here today, Dr Chauhan said that kidney transplant was a viable and necessary option for HIV patients with CKD especially since kidney disease takes a large toll on this group.
This kidney transplant was amongst very few done in our country.
HIV was not an issue, but the illnesses associated with the immune-compromised state.
While these patients found it difficult to get regular dialysis because of stigma, discrimination and cost, kidney transplant is the answer, asserted Dr Chauhan.