RIMS conducts first successful kidney transplants
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 19 2024: For the first time, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) successfully performed kidney transplants on two individuals on August 8 and 9, respectively.

Briefing the media at RIMS Sushmita Hall on Monday, RIMS director Prof G Sunil Kumar Sharma explained that the process of conducting organ transplantation is complex and time-consuming as it involves several steps, including pa tient identification, approval from the transplant board, and police clearance.

Due to various legal issues involving body transplants, establishing a transplant programme at RIMS took several years.

To address these challenges, RIMS, in collaboration with the State Transplant Committee, worked out necessary legal and procedural hurdles to finally initiate the transplant process.

He further said that for the first time in the institute's history, a successful kidney transplant was performed on a 39-year-old man on August 8, with his younger brother as the donor.

Both the recipient and the donor are recovering well and are in the process of being discharged from the hospital.

The following day, another kidney transplant was successfully carried out on a 50-year-old individual, with his wife as the donor.

Both the recipient and donor from this procedure are also in good health and awaiting discharge, informed the director.

Crediting success of these transplants to dedicated service rendered by the team of doctors, he also expressed gratitude to nephrologists, surgeons, urologists, anaesthetists, faculty, residents, and operating room staff for their contribution towards achieving the historic milestone.

Prof Sunil Sharma also informed that cost of kidney transplants at RIMS is relatively lower compared to other hospitals as total expense for the transplant process was Rs 5 lakh, with the patient's family covering approximately Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh and the remaining costs covered through the health cards of CMHT/PMJAY.

On the other-hand, the director expressed disappointment that RIMS was not included among the top 50 medical colleges of the country but assured that efforts will be made to ensure the institute achieves this ranking in the future.

Chipping in, RIMS medical superintendent N Sanjib Singh said number of OPD patients has increased significantly, now ranging from 2,700 to 3,000 daily, compared to the earlier average of 1,300 to 1,800.To meet the increasing demand, 25 OPD counters have been established and between 300 to 800 patients registered daily at the Casualty department.

He noted that issues at the OPD counters are partly due to sub-par utilisation of the ABHA counter, which facilitates online registration.

As such, the medical superintendent encouraged patients to make use of the convenient option.

Currently, RIMS is authorised to perform only kidney transplants, though the institute is working towards getting approval for other organ transplantations.

Informing that donation is permitted for all vital organs, Sanjib said that RIMS has tasted success in open heart surgeries as well.

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