Maligawatte National Kidney Transplant Institute conducts first transplant

The National Neprology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Institute at Maligawatte has carried out the first kidney transplant at the institute successfully. The institute plans to carry out one kidney transplant a week. Fifty two renal patients are on the waiting list to

undergo kidney transplant surgery at the institute.

The National Neprology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Institute was established in 2010. This institute which was established

for the main purpose of conducting kidney transplants was unable to perform its tasks due to the shortage of facilities and various administrative issues.

Institute Director Dr. Sumith Ananda thanked the Ministry officials, including Ministry Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayathilake and the Government Medical Officers Association for taking prompt action to initiate kidney transplants at the institute.

Speaking at a press conference held at the GMOA office in Colombo, Dr. Ananda said his institute can perform two kidney transplants a week if facilities at the institute are further upgraded. He said the ICU of the institute has facilities for a limited number of patients, recipients and donors who have to be kept at the ICU for a few days.