Kidney Transplant: Cost, Conditions, Risk, And Packages

What do you mean by a Kidney Transplant?

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure in which a healthy kidney is placed from a living/deceased donor into an individual whose kidneys are no longer functioning properly. The kidney might come from a living donor or deceased organ donor. Family members or others who are a good match may be able to donate one of their kidneys. This kind of transplant is known as a living transplant. Individuals who donate a kidney can live healthy lives with one healthy kidney. A person getting a transplant most often gets only one kidney. In rare cases, a person may get two healthy kidneys from a deceased donor. The diseased kidneys are generally left in place. Generally, the transplanted kidney is gently placed in the lower belly and on the front side of your body.

Kidney Transplant Package

>>Explanation of kidney Transplant Surgery

A kidney transplant, a surgical procedure, is done to treat kidney failure. The kidneys help in filtering waste from the blood and then removing it from the body through urine. If a kidney stops working, waste accumulates in the body and causes complications. People whose kidneys fail generally undergo dialysis. Some people whose kidneys have failed may qualify for a kidney transplant. In a kidney transplant, one or both diseased kidneys are replaced with healthy donor kidneys from a deceased or live person. A kidney transplant could free a person from long-term dependence on dialysis. However, a kidney transplant is not suitable for everyone. This includes those who are severely overweight or people with active infections.

Kidney transplant surgery Package cost

The cost of the kidney transplant surgery package starts from $13,000. The cost may vary depending on numerous factors, such as the age of the patient, pre existing condition, services offered, type of hospital, etc. The cost of kidney transplant is more when availed directly at a hospital. This is because huge discounts are offered on packages.

When should I buy a Kidney Transplant Package?

Once your doctor recommends kidney transplant after evaluating your kidney health, you should look for a suitable kidney transplant package according to your budget. There are several things to look for before choosing a package, such as number of benefits offered, cost of the package, discounts being given, facilities offered, etc. If you want to have a smooth treatment journey at an affordable rate, it is always suggested to go for a package.

Also Read– What is the Process of Kidney Donation & Procedure

How can a kidney transplant surgery package can help you in your Transplant Procedure go smoothly? 

A kidney transplant surgery package by MediGence offers excellent benefits at an affordable cost. Huge discounts are given on these packages, helping you save a lot. Some benefits offered are free room upgrade from economy to private, complimentary stay for two in a good hotel for about 25 nights, cash voucher for drugs worth $100, airport transfer, city tour for two people, priority appointment, full refund on cancellation, 24/7 patient care and support services. Everything during your treatment journey is taken care of by a dedicated team at MediGence. All efforts are made to make your treatment journey smooth. You get treatment from the best doctors and at world-class hospitals.

How to start the process of getting a kidney transplant after I booked the package?

Once you have booked a kidney transplant package, you will need to send all your medical records to the assigned case manager at MediGence who will review your case. You will get to know the doctor and the hospital where you will get the treatment. Your visa will be arranged. You need to arrange for a donor and complete the legal formalities. After reaching the country, your appointment with the doctor will be scheduled. Your medical condition will be evaluated after conducting a few tests and the date of the surgery is given.

Also Read – Know the Benefits and Risks of a Kidney Transplantation

Starting price of Kidney Transplant Surgery Package

The starting price of the Kidney Transplant Surgery Package is $13,000. The cost may vary depending upon certain factors, such as the medical condition of the patient, type of hospital and hotel, experience of the doctor, facilities available, type of transplant, recovery period, etc.

What is not covered in the Kidney Transplant Package?

The following things are not covered in the Kidney Transplant Package:

• Post-Discharge mediations
• Complex Lab tests
• Ethical Committee Documentation
• Additional Pharmaceutical Medicine or Antibiotics
• Double J Stent After Transplantation removal
• Fee of other Cross Consultation
• Expenses for Hospital/Hotel Stay Beyond the Package Period
• Services such as Telephone, Laundry
• Medications as well as Treatment for any Non-Procedure Related or Pre-Existing Conditions not related to kidney

List of Countries from where I can purchase Affordable Kidney Transplant Packages

Below are some countries where you can purchase affordable Kidney Transplant Packages. These countries have world-class hospitals and highly experienced kidney transplant doctors. The hospitals are equipped with the best infrastructure and amenities, modern diagnostic labs and modern equipment.

Conditions Required for Kidney Transplant

• Before donating a kidney, a donor should meet some basic kidney donation requirements.
• Generally, a kidney donor must be in good mental and physical health, needs to be 18 years of age or above, and should have normal kidney function.
• If you want to become a potential kidney donor, you need to undergo medical as well as psychological tests to ensure you are healthy enough to donate the organ.
• You also have to go through a number of medical tests to see if you are a good match for the recipient. To be eligible to undergo a kidney transplant, the patient should have chronic irreversible kidney disease, which has not responded to medical and surgical treatments.
• You are on dialysis or might require dialysis. You should qualify for and have the ability to tolerate major surgery.

Who can donate their kidney

As a general rule, a kidney donor should be 18 years or above and should have normal kidney function. There are certain medical conditions, which can prevent a donor from being a living donor, such as diabetes, cancer, HIV, uncontrolled high blood pressure, hepatitis, or any acute infections. A near-relative (such as grandchildren, siblings, spouse, children, parents, and grandparents) all need permission to donate his kidney. A person with a serious mental health condition may not be allowed to donate a kidney. Living donation is when a living person donates a kidney for transplantation. The living donor could be a family member, such as a child, a parent, a sister, or a brother (living related donation). A deceased-donor kidney transplant takes place when a kidney from an individual who has recently passed away is removed with the approval of the family and placed in a recipient.

Risk if I do not agree to transplant even after advised?

If the kidneys lose their ability to function properly, waste products may build up, which can be life-threatening. This gradual loss of kidney function called end-stage chronic kidney disease and kidney failure makes a kidney transplant necessary. The loss of kidney function is irreversible and symptoms may worsen with time. A doctor will evaluate your condition and may refer you to a kidney transplant surgeon depending on the extent of kidney damage. If a person does not get a kidney transplant even after being advised, the life of the patient may be at risk. Signs of kidney failure, such as abdominal pain, swelling, bloody urine, and frequent urinary tract infections, may worsen with time.

Also Read– The Right Diet after a Kidney Transplant

Condition of Kidney while transplant

A person with chronic kidney disease who meets some criteria for kidney function and people on dialysis are treated with a kidney transplant. Chronic kidney disease may result from many medical conditions. The transplant team evaluates you to find out whether a kidney transplant might be safe for you. A comprehensive evaluation includes imaging scans, blood tests, and other tests. Urosurgeon doctors who are specialists in kidney transplant check you for any serious conditions, including cancer, chronic infections, and heart and blood vessel disease. The doctors as well as transplant team work together to promote wellness lower the risks and improve the outcome after a kidney transplant. A care team member will talk with you about the importance of taking your immunosuppressant (anti-rejection) medications to keep your body from rejecting your kidney.

Health conditions of Patients after kidney transplant

A successful kidney transplant helps an individual live longer. For some patients, there are a few limits on what you can come and drink, though you must have a heart-healthy diet and also maintain a healthy weight to help the new kidney last. The patient may experience some side effects of a kidney transplant, such as an increased risk of infections, high blood pressure, diabetes, abdominal pain, weight gain, and swollen gums. As the patient recovers from transplant surgery, they will feel tired. Most individuals can return to work within 1-2 months after the transplant.

Browse– List of Best Hospitals for Kidney Transplant

Condition matched between recipient & donor for kidney transplant

• A “match” between a kidney donor and a transplant recipient refers to biological compatibility between the two individuals.
• Compatibility is generally determined by looking at tissue type, blood type, and crossmatching. For a successful kidney transplant, recipients and donors must have compatible blood types, but it does not always mean that both of them need to have the same blood type.
• An individual with  blood type O can only get an O kidney, however, those with blood type A can get both an A or O kidney, and anyone with blood type B can get both a B or O kidney. Once blood type compatibility is finding out, the second step is tissue typing, also known as called human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing or antigen typing.
• A person has more than 100 antigens in the cells, but six have been found as the most important in organ transplantation.
• Cross-matching is a test used to determine whether the recipient is “sensitized,” which means that they have antibodies, which will attack the donated kidney causing the body to reject the transplant.

Also Read– Compatible and Incompatible Blood Types in Kidney Transplant

Possibilities of donating a Kidney more than once

An emerging practice in transplantation allows the successful transplantation of a kidney in more than one recipient, which means a recipient may be an organ donor. In the case of many recipients, a healthy kidney, even one that was transplanted before, can make a lifesaving impact. About 20-25 percent of patients with a kidney transplant generally die with a functioning kidney that could save other people.

People who are not allowed to donate their Kidney for a Transplant

A person cannot donate a kidney for transplant if she/she is suffering from some medical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, HIV, hepatitis, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or acute infections. Suffering from serious mental health conditions requiring treatment might also prevent them from being a donor. Individuals below 18 years of age are also not allowed to donate a kidney. A donor whose organ does not match a recipient is not eligible to be a donor.

Also Check– What are the Stages of Kidney Disease?

Success Rate of Kidney Transplant after Surgery

According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, the overall success rate of a kidney transplant with a living-donor kidney is 86% at 5 years and 97% at 1 year. The success rate with a deceased-donor kidney is 79% at 5 years and 96% at 1 year. Many factors can affect the success rate of a kidney transplant, including the age of the donor, ethnicity, duration of hospitalization, and creatinine levels at discharge, type of transplant, recipient age and health, and degree of HLA match.

Frequently Asked Questions