Mulago National Referral Hospital Successfully Performs Four Kidney Transplants
Mulago National Referral Hospital successfully completed four kidney transplants, with two male and two female recipients. The surgeries were conducted by Dr. Frank Asiimwe and specialists from Yashoda Hospitals in India. The hospital aims to handle transplants primarily through Ugandan surgeons and is addressing a growing list of patients awaiting transplants.
Four kidney transplant surgeries have been successfully performed at Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH).
Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, the hospital’s Executive Director, confirmed that although eight patients were initially registered for kidney transplants, four others are still under observation and in preparation for the procedure.
The surgeries were carried out by Dr. Frank Asiimwe, a Consultant Urologist and Transplant Surgeon at MNRH, in collaboration with visiting specialists from Yashoda Hospitals in India, led by Dr. Sashi Kiran.
Dr. Peace Bagasha, a kidney disease specialist at MNRH, indicated that the recent transplants involved two male and two female recipients, with their respective four donors, three of whom were male.
Dr. Asiimwe also shared that the hospital’s long-term goal is to ensure kidney transplants are primarily conducted by Ugandan surgeons. He added that while there is currently a lengthy waiting list for kidney transplants at Mulago, it is not feasible to address all cases simultaneously.
Mulago Hospital conducted its first kidney transplant in December 2022. According to the latest medical reports, both the recipient and donor are in good health.
Dr. Byanyima stated that Mulago Hospital is well-equipped to handle kidney transplants. The facility currently boasts six kidney transplant surgeons, three nephrologists, radiologists, pathologists, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, and biomedical engineers.
Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, alongside MNRH Board Chairperson Dr. Phillipa Musoke and other healthcare professionals involved in the transplant surgeries, participated in a press conference to address the public on this significant achievement.
In an interview on Thursday, Dr. Byanyima expressed concern about the growing prevalence of kidney diseases, which are part of the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) being managed at the hospital. Uganda is witnessing an increase in NCDs, including kidney diseases, with a study conducted at Mulago Hospital showing that 2% of patients with NCDs, approximately one million people, suffer from kidney diseases, some of whom require dialysis.
“In the 2022/23 financial year, Mulago managed over 1,082 dialysis patients. While some recover, others unfortunately succumb to their conditions. This underscores the significant financial and logistical burden on both patients and the hospital,” she added.
Dialysis services are also available at other hospitals such as Kiruddu Referral Hospital, Lira Regional Hospital, and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Dr. Phillipa Musoke, the MNRH Board Chairperson, emphasized the importance of prevention over cure. She urged health professionals to prioritize preventive measures and called for increased support to help the hospital achieve its goals.
The kidney transplant program at Mulago began in 2014, following staff training at Yashoda Hospitals, the establishment of a transplant unit, and the acquisition of necessary medical equipment.
