First Swap Kidney Transplant in Raipur | 26 Apr 2025

Why in News? 

AIIMS Raipur has successfully performed its first Swap Kidney Transplant, or Kidney Paired Donation (KPD), becoming the first among the newer AIIMS and the first government hospital in Chhattisgarh to carry out this advanced, life-saving procedure. 

 Key Points 

• Milestone in Advanced Renal Care: 
  • AIIMS Raipur conducted its first Swap Kidney Transplant under the guidance of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. 
  • The Ministry highlighted this as a major step toward expanding access to advanced treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). 
  • In a Swap Kidney Transplant (Kidney Paired Donation), two patient-donor pairs exchange kidneys when direct donation isn’t possible due to blood group incompatibility. 
• AIIMS Raipur as a Regional Leader: 
  • AIIMS Raipur has emerged as a pioneer in organ transplantation in central India. 
  • It was the first among newer AIIMS to initiate Deceased Donor Organ Donation and Paediatric Kidney Transplants. 
  • The hospital has performed 54 kidney transplants so far, achieving a 95% graft survival rate and a 97% patient survival rate. 
• Boosting National Organ Transplant Capacity: 
  • Swap transplants can increase overall kidney transplants by up to 15%, as per the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO). 
  • NOTTO has advised all states and Union Territories to implement swap transplant programmes. 
  • It also plans to launch a "One Nation, One Swap Transplant" policy to streamline and expand these life-saving surgeries across India.