There are over 6,300 patients undergoing dialysis in Kenya as per the data collected in 2022 and this number is increasing. Less than 1% of end stage renal disease patients undergo kidney transplant as compared to approximately 30% in Europe and Middle East.
Kenya has limited number of Nephrologists and transplant specialist surgeons and the costs are on the higher side.
It is due to these facts that many patients prefer to travel to India for their kidney transplant where the costs are quite less as compared to most of the advanced countries with the availability of high quality treatment with good success rates.
I would like to mention here in easy to understand way about this complex treatment.
Important and Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Transplant in India
Who is eligible for a kidney transplant?
Patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) or who are either undergoing or have been advised for dialysis are eligible for a kidney transplant. If you want to consult with an experienced Nephrologist in India, please contact us on WhatsApp at +91 98182 37391.
Does the patient need to bring their own donor? Who are the recommended donors or the kidney transplant?
Yes, it is mandatory that the donor must be the first family member of the patient. The best case match both legally and medically are siblings – brothers or sisters. The chances of rejection is less for siblings as compared to other eligible donors.
Other eligible donors apart from siblings are parents, brothers and sisters, son and daughter. In case if any of these members are unfit or unwilling to donate, then the next level of family members can be donors like cousins, uncle or aunt.
In case the first family circle is unavailable for the donation, a written declaration from them is required and based on that letter, cousins or uncle and aunt can be eligible for donation. We will discuss about the documentation later below.
All donors will be required to undergo a DNA test in India to reaffirm the family’s claim for the relationship which is verified by the Government of India’s panel before the transplant can go ahead.
Which tests are required to begin with?
An HLA test is done for both the donor and the patient to check combability so that the chances of kidney’s rejection are less. Once these tests are done, you can send them to the Nephrologists in India for their opinion at WhatsApp number +91 98182 37391.
What is the cost of a kidney transplant in India?
The cost for a kidney transplant in India is between US $ 13,500 to 14,500. This cost includes the transplant cost at the hospital and the medications that are used during the time the patient is admitted at the hospital.
How many days stay should a kidney transplant patient plan for?
The donor will be required to stay for upto 5 to 7 days at the hospital and the patient will be required to stay between 10-14 days at the hospital after the transplant before they are discharged.
What kind of post-transplant care is required?
Diet, Immunosuppressive medications and regular checkups are to be taken care. When a patient travels back to their home country after leaving from India, we help to coordinate for the teleconsultations from their home country with the Nephrologist in India
Can a non-relative donate a kidney in India?
No, it is illegal and not allowed.
How long do I need to stay in India before I can return to back to my country in Africa after the kidney transplant?
Between 2 months to 2 and a half months is what a patient should plan for. The donor can travel back approximately 2-3 weeks after the surgery.
Why should I choose to travel to India for kidney transplant?
India offers the highest quality of treatment at JCI recognised hospitals for kidney transplant with the most effective cost between US $ 13,50 to 14,500 and an absolute easy of process. This same transplant cost of European countries would be for roughly for US $ 50,000 to 70,000.
How do I begin the process for the kidney transplant in India while I am in my country in Africa?
You first need to send us the latest medical reports along with HLA test reports for both the patient and the donor. You can contact us on our WhatsApp number +91 98182 37391 or email us at hi@mymedtrip.com
We will discuss your reports with the Nephrologist and share with you the medical plan details.
What are the documents that are required for a kidney transplant?
An example of the below case where the son is the donor for his mother. As a backup plan, the second potential donor is the patient’s sister who is married.
To consult the documents needed for your case, please contact us on WhatsApp at +91 98182 37391
For the patient:
Government’s national Id (apart from the passport) – original
Birth certificate – original
Husband’s national Id and birth certificate with reason for not donating. – original
Any old family photograph printed (not digital) in which the donor and the recipient are there. Arrange 4-5 different photographs. Since potential donors are 2 people, get photographs for both of them so that the photographs can be submitted for the respective case.
14 passport size photographs
For the donor (in case the donor is the son)
Government’s national Id (apart from the passport) – original
Birth certificate – original
14 passport size photographs
For the donor (in case the donor is the sister)
Government’s national Id (apart from the passport) – original
Birth certificate – original
14 passport size photographs
Marriage certificate – original
For the (sister) donor’s husband
Government’s national Id (apart from the passport)
Birth certificate in original
Noc from the husband for the transplant and understanding the risk involved
Marriage certificate
4 passport size photographs
Other documents
Recipient’s all siblings and children’s reason for not donating liver for the transplant. Reason could be age, ailment, or not being comfortable to donate. The letter should be clear in stating the reason and it should be signed with their name clearly mentioned at the end of the letter along with the relationship with the patient
What are the accommodation options for patients near the hospital?
Budget hotels or guest houses are available near the hotel which costs approximately US $ 20 per night for single room with double occupancy. Many guest houses have kitchen facility as well.
How does the patient contact the doctor when he flies back to his country?
We assist all patients with teleconsultation if they wish to speak with the doctor after they travel back to their country. This is a part of our services.
If I decide to travel through you for my treatment, what should I expect?
We will share with you the detailed medical plan while you’re still in your country
Whatever price support can be extended for you, we will speak with the hospital and secure it for you
We will assist you with your medical visa by issuing you the official medical visa invitation letter
Once you get the visa and book your flight tickets and share it with us, we will make the arrangements for your hotel, pick-up from the airport and the appointment at the hospital
We will pick you up from the airport
We will assist you throughout your treatment process and at no point you will be left on your own
We will assist you till dropping you back at the airport
If you need assistance to consult the doctor after you have reached back your country, we will assist you with the teleconsultation
