State-Run Bengaluru Hospital Sets Record with 10 Kidney Transplants in 17 Days
The State-run Institute of Nephro-Urology (INU) in Bengaluru has performed 10 cadaveric kidney transplants in the first 17 days of July, including three transplants within a 24-hour period. This marks the institute's highest monthly transplant tally and reflects a notable increase in organ donation and transplant activity.
INU Director Shivalingaiah M. said the institute typically performs three to four kidney transplants per month, making the current pace a significant milestone. He attributed the achievement to increased organ availability through the State's cadaver organ donation programme and the dedication of the transplant team.
“We usually perform three to four kidney transplants every month. This month alone, we have completed 10 transplants in just 17 days, including three transplants in a single day. This has been possible because of increased organ availability through the State’s cadaver organ donation programme and the commitment of our transplant team,” he said.
Dr. Shivalingaiah noted that all transplant surgeries were performed alongside the institute's routine urology workload, with many procedures extending into late-night and early morning hours. He praised the faculty, postgraduate students, nursing staff, anaesthesiologists and support teams for their extraordinary dedication.
To strengthen transplant services, the institute has launched a dedicated transplant subspecialty, bringing together specialists in transplant surgery, nephrology and post-operative care under a structured programme.
Kidneys allocated through the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) - Jeevasarthakathe, which facilitates cadaveric organ donations, enabled ten patients to undergo transplantation in 17 days. Two transplants were performed on Friday, July 18, and another through the night. Among the ten recipients is a 38-year-old female patient. Under the allocation system, the institute receives one kidney from each cadaveric donation recorded in any hospital in the State for its enrolled patients.
Doctors stated that performing three kidney transplants in a single day is a rare achievement for a government hospital and reflects close coordination among urology, nephrology, anaesthesia, intensive care and nursing teams. The institute had previously achieved three transplants in 24 hours in April 2025.
The 160-bed super-speciality institute, along with its recently commissioned 148-bed annexe, has been performing kidney transplants since 2009. A total of 415 kidney transplants have been carried out at the institute to date. As of July 18, the institute has 815 patients waiting for a transplant.
While 45 kidney transplants were performed during 2024, the institute has already completed 35 transplants between January and July this year, indicating a substantial rise in transplant activity. In addition to transplant services, the institute operates dialysis facilities at the K.S.R. Dialysis Centre, Herohalli Dialysis Centre and Charaka Super Speciality Hospital, where eligible patients receive free dialysis under various government health schemes.
