Mulago National Referral Hospital has announced plans to scale up its organ transplant services, setting ambitious targets to address Uganda’s growing burden of kidney disease.
Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, the hospital’s Executive Director, on Friday affirmed her commitment to this initiative, citing the dedication of the hospital’s medical team as the foundation for achieving these goals.
“We are setting targets. In the next financial year, we aim to perform 12 kidney transplants and expand our scope to include at least four liver transplants,” she stated.
Rising Kidney Disease Burden in Uganda
Recent studies reveal that 13% of Uganda’s population suffers from kidney disease, ranging from mild to severe cases. Dr. Byanyima emphasized the urgency of providing quality care, noting that the disease’s prevalence continues to grow.
Celebrating Milestones in Transplantation
Dr. Byanyima’s remarks came during a celebration of the hospital’s recent success in performing four kidney transplants in November. These surgeries marked a significant achievement in Uganda’s medical history.
“We want to express gratitude to all stakeholders, including Parliament, the Ministry of Health, the Uganda Medical Board, the hospital management board, the medical team, and our partners from Yashoda Hospitals in India,” Dr. Byanyima said.
On December 20, 2023, Mulago Hospital performed its first-ever organ transplant, successfully transplanting a kidney donated by Steven Mpagi to his brother, Kiyemba Mark Maurice.
This surgery was conducted by a team led by Professor Frank Asiimwe in collaboration with visiting doctors from Yashoda Hospitals.
A Decade of Progress
According to Prof. Phillipa Musoke, Chairperson of the Mulago Hospital Board, the hospital began its journey toward kidney transplantation in 2014 with training programs, equipment procurement, and the establishment of a transplant unit. A decade later, the facility has completed five successful kidney transplants, with more planned for the near future.
Between November 18 and 21, Mulago hosted a kidney transplant camp aimed at performing eight procedures. Thus far, four transplants have been successfully completed, and both donors and recipients are reported to be in stable condition. The remaining patients are undergoing further assessments to prepare for future transplants.
Infrastructure and Support
Prof. Musoke attributed the hospital’s success to the robust infrastructure funded by a government loan from the African Development Bank, a highly trained multidisciplinary team, technical support from Yashoda Hospitals, and essential guidance from the Ministry of Health.
The kidney transplant unit at Mulago is equipped with two transplant theaters, two intensive care units, a high-dependency unit, and four inpatient admission rooms at HDU level.
Rising Non-Communicable Diseases
Health experts warn of an increase in non-communicable diseases in Uganda, with 20% of the population affected by hypertension, a similar percentage by diabetes, and a growing incidence of cancer. Currently, 180 patients are undergoing chronic dialysis at Mulago, with 10 to 15 new patients registered monthly.
Towards a Self-Sufficient Transplant Program
Dr. Frank Asiimwe, the lead surgeon, described the recent achievements as a critical step toward establishing a sustainable and robust transplant program. “Our ultimate goal is to perform organ transplants by Ugandans, for Ugandans, here in Uganda,” he reachoed.
Dr. Peace Bagasha added that the post-operative outcomes for both donors and recipients have been positive, with no severe complications reported.
She noted, “Of the eight prepared pairs, we have successfully transplanted four. The recipients include two males and two females, while the donors are three males and one female.”
Mulago National Referral Hospital’s commitment to enhancing its transplant services marks a significant step forward in addressing Uganda’s pressing healthcare needs.
