First-ever kidney transplant from dead donor performed in country

Doctors have successfully performed the country’s first-ever cadaveric kidney transplant, the process of transplanting kidneys from brain-dead medical patients.

A group of doctors headed by Renal Transplantation Surgeon Professor Habibur Rahman Dulal of the Urology Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital (BSMMU) performed this.

The Public Relations Department of BSMMU informed this on Thursday (January 19).

A patient named Sarah, 20, was the organ donor. The donor was suffering from a genetic disease and recently underwent surgery at BSMMU.  Sarah’s condition worsened after the surgery. She was then admitted to ICU when her condition further deteriorated. Doctors counseled her mother when they realised she was heading toward being in a brain-dead state. Her mother gave permission for transplanting Sarah’s kidneys and corneas. Although doctors transplanted two kidneys, both corneas are still preserved, a BSMMU press release said.

The recipients of the kidneys were two female patients in their 30s who are reportedly recovering well after the surgery.