The Journey of a Patient: From Kenya to India for a Kidney Transplant at Max Hospital, Saket

Living with kidney disease is a daily struggle. It not only affects your physical health but also your mental and emotional well-being. This is exactly the case for Jane, a 35-year-old Kenyan who was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease a few years back. After trying various treatments with little to no success, Jane decided to seek help from Max hospital in Saket, India. This blog will take you through Jane’s journey to India for kidney transplant at Max hospital.

Jane has undergone regular dialysis sessions for several years, but her doctors advised her that she needed a kidney transplant to improve her quality of life.

Overview of Healthcare System in Kenya

The healthcare system in Kenya is heavily burdened, and access to quality healthcare services is often limited. The public healthcare system is overstretched and underfunded, and private healthcare services are not affordable for most people. In addition, there is a shortage of healthcare professionals, which makes it challenging for patients to access specialized medical care.

In the case of Jane, she consulted with several local hospitals in Nigeria, including Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), and Mediheal Group of Hospital, Nairobi. After assessing her medical condition and needs, all of these hospitals recommended that she travel to India for her kidney transplant surgery.

Reasons for Choosing India

After exhausting all options in Kenya, Jane’s family began exploring other countries for the transplant. They considered several options, including the United States and Europe, but the high cost of treatment and the lengthy waiting times made it difficult to proceed. Eventually, they discovered that India had become a top destination for medical tourism due to its high-quality facilities, skilled medical professionals, and affordable costs. After researching and consulting with several hospitals, they chose Max Hospital in Saket for Jane’s transplant.

Cost of Kidney Transplant at Max Hospital, Saket

Max Hospital in Saket, India is a renowned medical facility that offers advanced and specialized medical treatments, including kidney transplant surgery. For Jane, a patient from Kenya, the cost of a kidney transplant at Max Hospital was affordable compared to other countries. The estimated cost for a kidney transplant at Max Hospital, Saket is 13,500 USD. This cost includes the surgical procedure, pre-operative and post-operative care, medications, and other associated expenses.

The hospital provides state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced technology, and experienced medical professionals, ensuring the highest quality of treatment and care for patients like Jane who travel from other countries for medical procedures. Overall, Jane found the cost of kidney transplant at Max Hospital, Saket to be reasonable and decided to go ahead with the surgery.

Types of kidney transplant available in India at Max Hospital, Saket

Before the transplant, the doctors explained the different types of kidney transplants available in India at Max Hospital. Here are the details of the different types of kidney transplants:

1. Living Donor Kidney Transplant: This type of transplant is when a person donates a kidney to a family member or friend. The donor must be healthy and have a compatible blood type. The surgery is done under general anesthesia, and the donor and recipient are usually discharged within a week.
2. Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant: This type of transplant is when a kidney is donated from a person who has died. The organ is matched with the recipient based on blood type and other factors. This type of transplant is usually done when there are no living donors available.
3. ABO Incompatible Kidney Transplant: This type of transplant is when the blood type of the donor and the recipient are not compatible. This type of transplant requires special medications to prevent the recipient’s body from rejecting the organ.

Kidney transplant technologies at Max Hospital, Saket

The patient was also briefed about the medical technologies used in India for kidney transplants.

Laparoscopic Surgery

Max hospital offers laparoscopic surgery for kidney transplant, which is a minimally invasive surgical technique. The laparoscopic surgery for kidney transplant offers several benefits, including reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery.

Robotic Surgery

Max hospital also offers robotic surgery for kidney transplant, which is a highly advanced surgical technique. The robotic surgery allows for better precision and control during the surgery, leading to improved outcomes.

Kidney Transplant Medical Visa process for Kenya Patients

The first step in Jane’s journey was to obtain a medical visa to enter India for the transplant. This process was made easier with the assistance of the hospital’s medical tourism team, who provided guidance on the necessary paperwork and procedures.

The first step in the process was to submit passport copies of both Jane and her attendant, who would be accompanying her on her journey. Once the passport copies had been submitted, the Indian Embassy in Kenya issued Jane and her attendant a medical visa invitation letter, which served as proof of their eligibility for a medical visa.

It is significant to note that the processing time for a medical visa can vary, so it is advisable to check with the embassy for an estimated processing time. Once the medical visa was processed and approved, Jane and her attendant received their visas and were able to travel to India for their medical treatment.

Kidney Transplant FRRO Registration

The hospital staff will handle the FRRO registration process for you once you arrive in India. They will give you all the information and paperwork needed for the registration, as well as help you finish the process.

Kidney Transplant Video Consultation from Top Kidney transplant surgeon

To ensure that she was making the right decision, Jane decided to take advantage of the hospital’s kidney transplant video consultation service. She was able to speak with Dr. Anant Kumar, a top kidney transplant surgeon at Max hospital, and get all her questions answered.

During the consultation, Dr. Anant Kumar explained the entire process of a kidney transplant and answered all of Jane’s questions. He discussed the various treatment options, the risks involved, and the success rate of the procedure.

Jane was also able to discuss her medical history with Dr. Kumar, which helped him better understand her condition and recommend the best course of action. She found the video consultation to be incredibly informative and helpful in making an informed decision about her treatment.

After the consultation, Jane was confident that she had made the right decision in choosing Max hospital, Saket, for her kidney transplant. She was impressed with Dr. Anant Kumar‘s expertise and the hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities.

Expert Kidney Transplant Surgeon Talks to Patient Jane from Kenya at Max Hospital, Saket

Dr. Anant Kumar: The Best Urologist in Delhi

With 35 years of experience in urology and renal transplantation, Dr. Anant Kumar is one of India’s most well-known urologists and robotic surgeons. He is highly known for his proficiency in robotic-assisted laparoscopic urology and is the Chairman of Uro-Oncology, Robotic & Kidney Transplantation at Max Hospital Saket. He has conducted over 3500 kidney transplants in the past 30 years.

During a recent consultation with Jane, a patient who traveled from Kenya to India for her kidney transplant surgery, Dr. Kumar explained his extensive experience in Reno vascular hypertension, endourological procedures like PCNL, URS, flexible ureteroscopy, and laser urological surgery. He also shared that he has been performing laparoscopic urology for the last 20 years, including reconstructive urology of kidney, bladder & urethra.

Jane expressed her gratitude for being under the care of the best robotic surgeon in Delhi and was reassured by Dr. Kumar’s vast knowledge and experience.

Types of Donors

Jane was informed about the different types of kidney donors that are available for her transplant procedure.

Living Donor

One of the types of kidney donors is a living donor. This type of donor is typically a healthy individual who has two kidneys and can donate one kidney without any significant impact on their health. A living kidney donation occurs when a healthy blood group matched relative of an ESRD patient donates a kidney for them.

Deceased Donor

Another type of kidney donor is a deceased donor. This type of donor is someone who has passed away and their organs can be used to give new life to patients suffering from end-organ damage. Hospitals with transplant facilities maintain a waiting list of ESRD patients for this purpose. The kidney taken from a deceased donor is called a deceased donor kidney, and patients must get their names listed on the waiting list to get the chance for the transplant.

Minimum Requirements of an ABO Incompatible Donor

• For an ABO compatible Kidney Transplant, the donor must have the same blood group or O +ve, like in blood transfusion.
• The donor’s kidney must be in good condition to ensure normal renal functioning after the transplant.
• HLA typing is done to determine how many antigens match between the donor and recipient. The minimum number of mismatches will result in a better chance of long-term graft survival.

 Documents required for Kidney Transplant

Before a kidney transplant surgery can take place in India, there are several legal requirements that must be fulfilled. The kidney transplant committee in the hospital overseeing the surgery requires a specific set of documents to ensure that the transplant is conducted in accordance with legal and ethical guidelines. The list of documents required for successful approval by the committee are as follows:

Documents for Kidney Transplant Recipient

1. ID Proofs: Passport, National ID
2. Family Photos with Donor, Parents, Brothers and sisters – 10 to15 (color copies)
3. Passport size photos recent – 15 copies
4. Relationship certificate/Marriage certificate
5. School Documents

Documents for Kidney Transplant Donor

1. ID Proofs: Passport, National ID
2. Passport size photos recent – 15 copies
3. Birth Certificate of Donor
4. Educational Certificate of donor

Documents for Kidney Transplant Consent

1. ID Proofs: Passport, National ID
2. Passport size photos recent – 04 copies
3. Form-21 for NOC (Embassy)

*HLA Report

*Psychiatric Clearance

*Blood Group Donor & Recipient

*Carry all original documents

Exploring Options for End-Stage Renal Disease Patients before Kidney Transplant

Jane, a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), had a question about the options available to her before undergoing a kidney transplant. She asked a kidney transplant surgeon at Max Hospital and got the answer she needed.

Before a kidney transplant, ESRD patients have two main options for treatment: haemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Haemodialysis is a treatment that filters the blood through an external machine, usually at a hospital or dialysis center. Patients typically receive this treatment three times a week for four hours at a time. The treatment can be uncomfortable, and patients may experience side effects such as fatigue, muscle cramps, and low blood pressure.

CAPD, on the other hand, is a form of dialysis that uses the patient’s peritoneal membrane as a filter. This treatment is performed at home by the patient, and it involves filling the peritoneal cavity with a dialysis solution that absorbs waste and excess fluids. Patients typically perform this treatment four to five times a day, but they have more flexibility than with haemodialysis.

Both treatments have their advantages and disadvantages, and the best option for a patient depends on their individual situation. Kidney transplant is another option that offers a better quality of life and greater independence than dialysis, but it requires a matching donor and comes with risks.

Kidney Transplant Success Rate in India

After a year of using kidneys from living donors, the success rate of kidney transplants is 90–95%. If a transplant functions well for the first year, there is a good likelihood that it will continue to do so for a much longer time. Many patients who underwent kidney transplants 15–20 years ago are still living with healthy grafts and are leading regular lifestyles. In the event that the transplant is unsuccessful, a second attempt may be totally successful.

Max Hospital admission procedure for Kidney Transplant

Jane, a kidney transplant recipient at Max Hospital, was briefed on the admission procedure. The following steps were outlined:

• The recipient begins taking immunosuppressant medications two days prior to transplant.
• The recipient may receive additional induction of immunosuppressants the night before the surgery, depending on donor matching.
• Dialysis is conducted one day before the procedure.
• Due to the fact that kidney patients are frequently anemic, blood is cross-matched and arranged for the surgery.
• The patient is told about the surgery by the transplant team, and any questions the patient may have concerning the transplant are answered.
• Forms for consent and documentation must both be completed and signed.
• Patients must refrain from eating for at least 8 hours before the transplant.

The Journey

Jane, a patient from Kenya, embarked on a life-changing journey to India for a kidney transplant at Max hospital, Saket. Her journey was filled with challenges, but with proper pre-transplant preparation and a positive mindset, she was able to overcome them.

Initial consultations

After contacting Max hospital, Jane was referred to a transplant specialist who conducted a series of tests to determine her suitability for the transplant. The specialist discussed the risks and benefits of the surgery with Jane and answered all of her questions.

Pre-Transplant Preparation

Before traveling to India, Jane had to undergo various medical tests to determine her suitability for a kidney transplant. These tests included blood tests, imaging studies, and other medical evaluations. The purpose of these tests was to identify any potential health risks and ensure that the transplant procedure would be successful.

Arrival in India

After a long flight from Kenya to India, Jane arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. She was greeted by a representative from Max hospital who helped her with the immigration process and arranged for a taxi to take her to the hospital. Jane was relieved to find that the hospital had arranged for her accommodation in a nearby guest house, where she could rest and recuperate before the transplant.

Over the next few weeks, Jane underwent various medical procedures to prepare for the transplant. She had to undergo dialysis sessions, which helped to cleanse her blood and remove toxins. She also had to take several medications to boost her immunity and prevent infections. The hospital staff provided her with detailed instructions on how to take care of herself before and after the transplant.

The Transplant Surgery

After the consultations, Jane underwent the transplant surgery. The surgery was performed under general anesthesia and lasted for several hours. The surgeon made an incision in her abdomen and placed the new kidney in the appropriate position. Once the kidney was connected to the blood vessels and ureter, the incision was closed. Jane remained in the hospital for several days, where she was monitored closely for any complications.

Post-operative Care

After the transplant surgery, Jane was advised to rest and take medication to manage her pain. She was also given a strict diet and exercise regimen to follow, and she had regular check-ups to monitor her progress.

Recovery

Jane’s recovery was slow but steady. She gradually regained her strength and was able to walk around the hospital. After a week, she was discharged from the hospital and was able to return to her hotel to continue her recovery.

Conclusion

Today, Jane is doing well and is grateful for the medical care she received at Max hospital in Saket. The transplant has made a tremendous difference in her life, and she is now able to enjoy time with her family and engage in activities that were once impossible for her. Her journey from Kenya to India was not an easy one, but the transplant was a life-changing experience that she will always remember.