KUWAIT CITY, Sept 9: In a significant medical breakthrough, the Ministry of Health has announced the successful completion of Kuwait's first kidney transplant exchange operation between families. This milestone coincides with the launch of the National Kidney Transplant Exchange Program, a pioneering initiative designed to enhance transplant opportunities by broadening the donor pool.

Dr. Saja Sorour, Head of the Organ Transplantation Department at Jaber Hospital, explained that the kidney exchange transplant addresses cases where a patient has a willing donor within their family who is immunologically incompatible or has a different blood type. In such scenarios, the program facilitates a swap: the donor from one family gives a kidney to the patient in the other family, and vice versa. This arrangement increases the likelihood of successful transplants for both patients.

This achievement is part of the Ministry of Health's strategy to advance organ transplant services in Kuwait. The new program aims to reduce waiting times and improve success rates for kidney transplants. Dr. Sorour highlighted that the success of this operation marks a crucial step in improving patients' chances of receiving suitable kidneys and demonstrates the country's commitment to providing optimal medical solutions.

Dr. Nada Jassim Al-Shatti, Head of the Immunology Unit and the Tissue Compatibility Laboratory for Organ and Stem Cell Transplantation at the Yacoub Behbehani Center for Bone Marrow Transplantation and Specialized Laboratories, and Supervisor of the Exchange Program, praised the collaborative efforts of various medical departments. She noted that this program not only enhances the quality of life for patients but also represents a significant advancement in organ transplantation in Kuwait. Dr. Al-Shatti emphasized that this initiative aligns with the Ministry of Health’s goals to improve organ transplantation services, reduce patient waiting periods, and alleviate suffering.