Safdarjung Hospital Performs First-Ever Paediatric Kidney Transplant In Central Government Sector

VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi has successfully conducted its first paediatric renal transplant, marking a significant milestone for the institution and for central government hospitals across India.

Doctors performed the procedure on an 11-year-old boy from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, who had been receiving regular dialysis after he developed end-stage kidney disease.

The rare condition, bilateral hypodysplastic kidneys, had left both kidneys underdeveloped since birth. The boy’s 35-year-old mother stepped forward as the donor.

According to the hospital, this operation marks the first paediatric renal transplant performed under any central government facility.

Dr Shobha Sharma, Director Professor and In-Charge of Paediatric Nephrology, said the child arrived in a critical state around eighteen months ago, and the medical team revived him after he suffered a cardiac arrest. They diagnosed kidney failure soon after, and the paediatric nephrology team has since managed his treatment and dialysis.

Highlighting the complexity of the procedure, Dr Pawan Vasudeva, Director Professor and Head of Urology and Renal Transplant, said paediatric transplants differ significantly from adult surgeries.

Surgeons must connect the donor kidney to larger vessels in a child’s body and also create adequate space for the adult-sized organ. Despite these challenges, the transplant was completed successfully.

Dr Vasudeva confirmed that the donor kidney had begun functioning well post-surgery and that the child’s recovery had been smooth.

Doctors have taken the patient off dialysis, and they expect to discharge him soon.

Hospital Extends Support Beyond Surgery

Dr Sandeep Bansal, Director of VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, said the success of the surgery reflected the hospital’s commitment to providing world-class, free healthcare to all citizens. He added that the boy’s recovery was especially meaningful, given the family’s limited means.

For a daily wage worker, such a procedure in the private sector, often costing up to ₹15 lakh, would have been out of reach.

The hospital described the outcome as a ‘dream come true’ for the family.

Medical Superintendent Dr Charu Bamba said the hospital would continue supporting the patient by providing essential immunosuppressive medication free of cost, ensuring long-term well-being following the transplant.

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