JSS institute comes of age in kidney transplant

MYSORE: At a tender age of 11, Arjun had a problem. His kidneys had failed. But his mother rushed to his rescue by donating one of her kidneys, which was transplanted at the JSS Institute of Nephro Urology. Today he is leading a normal life, thanks to the timely treatment.
Carved out of JSS Hospital, the Institute has completed 10 years. It was in 1992 that the first kidney transplant was conducted, which incidentally was the first such task performed outside Bangalore.
The expert hands at the Institute have performed over 70 transplants in the last years.Institute head Dr K.C. Gurudev on Saturday said of the patients treated for kidney failure with transplantation, 50 per cent are into the fourth year.
The first two years after the transplant is crucial, he noted.
Arjun was on dialysis after kidney failure. After his mother came forward to donate one of her kidneys, the surgery was performed two months ago.
"Today, both are leading a normal life," Dr Gurudev noted.
The doctor said before the transplantation, a detailed investigation will be conducted to ensure the donor does not have any major diseases and verify that the donor will not develop any complications after donation.
After the transplantation, the hospital will bear the cost of investigations for a month. It will also provide free consultation for patients who undergo kidney transplantation surgeries, he said.
Out of the 10,000 born, one will have only one kidney, he said. Every year, more than a lakh new cases of kidney failure are reported. Of these, less than 5 per cent have access to dialysis and about one per cent go in for transplantation surgery. "This is mainly due to the cost involved and non-availability of qualified experts and equipment."
Kidney transplantation is a challenge, which requires good team work, technical expertise and quality infrastructure, he noted. Last year, the Institute performed 763 major and 223 minor urological surgeries. Dr Gurudev said many are averse to donating the kidney.
''A brain-dead person can donate a kidney, for which the consent of the family is essential." To provide better treatment, the JSS Hospital has procured Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) unit and two art dialysis machines at a cost of Rs 35 lakh, which will help treat very sick patients with multiple organ failure.
JSS Hospital dean Dr R. Veerabhau said the hospital will be expanded with the setting up of a child health care and mental health care institutes, besides OT and surgical blocks.