The Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) is set to achieve a remarkable milestone by the end of this year, as it perform as the highest number of kidney transplant in a single year among all the government run hospital.
According to senior Health Department officials, GMCH’s transplant has successfully handled several high-risk and medically complex donor-recipient cases. In past 7 month, GMCH has already completed 30 kidney transplants, with the number that can be rise further before the year ends.
GMCH also done the surgeries that were previously referred to major hospitals outside the Northeast. Notably, retrieval surgeries from living donors are being done exclusively through advanced laparoscopic methods by expert urological surgeons.
At the present rate, GMCH is poised to be the one of the “high-volume renal transplant centre,” a category typically associated with leading national institutions in Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad. This recognition is based on the yearly volume of transplants and strong patient outcomes — both areas where GMCH is rapidly advancing.
Government Data reveals that the Urology and Nephrology departments at GMCH have conducted 162 renal transplants including 18 procedures last year. The hospital entered a new phase in 2023 when it performed its first cadaveric kidney transplant. Since then, it has completed four deceased donor surgeries.
However, major challenges remain. A GMCH official noted that the shortage of deceased donor organs continues to hinder progress. “Even when immediate family members agree to donate, relatives often oppose the decision at the last moment due to social stigma and misinformation,” he said.
This hesitation has worsened the waiting list of patients in urgent need of life-saving transplants.