Doha, March 26 (QNA) - Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) revealed that it has performed over 400 kidney transplants since the launch of the kidney transplant program in Qatar in 1986, noting that 145 kidney patients are currently on the waiting list for a transplant, categorized by blood types, while 1,022 patients who have undergone transplants either inside or outside of Qatar regularly visit 14 follow-up clinics.

In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Senior Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation Consultant at Hamad Medical Corporation Dr. Mohamad Alkadi, went over the development of the kidney transplant program in Qatar. He mentioned that initially, the number of transplants did not exceed 20 per year. However, since 2016, the pace accelerated with the expansion of medical staff and improvement in modern equipment, and medications, leading to an increase in the number of transplants to between 30 and 40 per year, and reaching 50 to 60 in the last two years.

Dr. Alkadi explained that kidney donations initially came from living donors, but since 1999, the Corporation has started performing kidney transplants from deceased patients. He noted that all the operations conducted by the Corporation have been successful, with a success rate exceeding 98% according to internationally recognized success standards, which stipulate that the transplanted kidney functions properly for at least one year.

He also discussed the new programs introduced by HMC in kidney transplantation, which were previously not performed, such as transplantation from incompatible blood types. He said that six such transplants have been successfully carried out since the program's launch in 2019.

He added that, in this regard, the patient must undergo preparation for at least a month before the transplant to purify their blood of antibodies for incompatible blood types, reducing the chances of immediate rejection of the transplanted kidney.

Additionally, in 2023, HMC launched another program aimed at reducing antibodies against the donor's tissues in the patient's body before the transplant. In this context, with the cooperation of all relevant departments, four successful surgeries have been performed, despite the high level of risk usually associated with this type of transplant.

Regarding robotic surgeries in kidney transplants, which began in 2024, he explained that they are performed for patients with obesity. He emphasized that all these options highlight the significant progress and development in Qatar's kidney transplant program, aimed at providing more opportunities for patients and increasing the number of successful transplant surgeries.

In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Senior Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation Consultant at HMC Dr. Mohamad Alkadi stated that the percentage of kidney donations in the country so far, with regard to the operations performed in the country, is equal between living and deceased people.

Dr. Alkadi noted that during transplantation, the old diseased kidney is not removed, but rather remains in place, while the new donated kidney is transplanted into the patient's pelvis, with utmost care and close follow-up after leaving the hospital, and weekly meetings with the specialist doctor during the first three months, then every month during the first year after the procedure. After that, follow-up visits are conducted with the doctor every two months to ensure the patient's health, the safety of the transplanted kidney, and the absence of any complications related to immunosuppressive medications, such as bacterial or viral infections or malignant tumors.

He pointed out that the great concern for both the patient and the donor has prompted HMC to introduce a precision medicine program and conduct genetic and hereditary analyses for the patient and donor, especially if they are related, to ensure that the donor does not develop kidney failure after donating a kidney.

HMC recently affirmed, in conjunction with the preparations of healthcare institutions around the world to celebrate World Kidney Day, which falls on March 13 annually, its continued commitment to promoting kidney health through advanced treatments, scientific research, and patient-centered care approaches.

HMC's commitment to providing world-class healthcare services for kidney patients is clearly reflected in its investment in infrastructure, technology, and staff training. This includes the recently launched Kidney Transplant Precision Medicine Program, which represents a major advance in the field of kidney transplantation, especially for patients at high risk for health risks with hereditary kidney diseases.

Regarding whether children can donate their kidneys to an adult, Dr. Alkadi stated that HMC does not accept donations from children until they have reached the age of 18. However, he said that their organs can be donated with the consent of their parents upon death, while there is nothing wrong with an adult donating a kidney to a child.

On the number of dialysis centers in Qatar, Dr. Alkadi explained that there are 8 centers, 5 of which are separate and 3 are attached to hospitals in Al Wakra, Al Khor, and Hazm Mebaireek.

He explained that there are also 14 clinics to follow up on kidney transplant patients, referring to 1,022 people who underwent kidney transplants inside or outside Qatar.

Dr. Alkadi also praised the widespread awareness in Qatari society regarding organ donation, noting that there are more than 500,000 deceased organ donors registered with HMC's HIBA program. He noted that the rate of kidney donations among family members in Qatar has increased compared to 10 years ago for both Qataris and residents.

The future is promising for the kidney transplant program in Qatar and the increase in the number of operations, with the great confidence and widespread satisfaction of patients and their families in the services, care and follow-up of HMC and its specialized medical equipment and staff, Dr. Alkadi said. He added that future planning focuses on achieving self-sufficiency and performing kidney transplants for all those on the waiting lists. (QNA)