Imphal: Shija Hospitals & Research Institute (SHRI), a leading private hospital based in Imphal, claimed to have achieved a historic milestone by performing the 75th kidney transplant.
The last transplant was performed on December 7 of last month, said a top official of the hospital on Thursday.
“Among the 75th patients, 68 were from Manipur, six from Nagaland, and one from Myanmar,” said Dr. Palin Khundongbam, Managing Director cum Chairman of SHRI, while disclosing that the 75th transplant recipient was a 37-year-old woman from Imphal West, whose husband donated the organ.
The Transplantations were carried out by a team of experts from Shija Kidney Centre, that includes Dr Guliver Potsangbam, consultant nephrologist, SHRI; Dr Somerendro Paonam, consultant urologist & renal transplant surgeon, SHRI; Dr Mahele Maharabam, consultant Urologist, SHRI; the anesthesiologist team and other support staff of the hospital, Dr Palin added.
The state-run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal, scripted history on Sunday by successfully conducting kidney transplants in three patients. This was also the first time that a kidney transplant was carried out in a government hospital in the northeastern state.
Dr Palin further informed that the first kidney transplant in Manipur was conducted at Shija in August 2016. Since then, Shija’s transplant waiting list has grown. However, during the COVID pandemic, transplant operations were suspended, which have now been resumed.
Stating that a kidney transplant can be conducted for just Rs 6 lakh, which is one of the cheapest and most affordable amounts in the healthcare world, Dr. Palin also said that people with CMHT and PMJAY cards can easily access the facility. So far, the hospital has provided 55520 CMHT and 32700 PMJAY dialysis till date, he contended.
The official said Shija Hospital has been at the forefront of promoting Manipur as a destination for medical tourism. The hospital is recognised as a referral centre for kidney transplant by the governments of Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram for treatment including renal transplant.
According to Dr. Guliver Potsangbam, Manipur has one of the highest rates of kidney disease, and people with diabetes have a greater than 50% chance of developing the condition. Changes in lifestyle are the main contributing factors, he added.
