Agartala: Tripura crossed a significant milestone in healthcare with the state’s first-ever successful kidney transplant surgery at GB Pant Hospital and Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC).
The complex five-hour surgery, a first for the state, was performed on a 20-year-old patient.
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Dr. Sankar Chakraborty, Medical Superintendent of GB Pant Hospital and AGMC said an extensive planning paved the way for this achievement.
He said the process started with a team formed on August 23, 2023, led by Dr. Sanjib Kumar Debbarma (now Director of Health Service).
“The team, comprising transplant specialists, meticulously developed a protocol by January 4, 2024. This protocol received the green light from Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on January 18, 2024,” he said.
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Recognizing the need for expert guidance, the team sought mentorship from Shija Hospitals and Research Institute in Manipur, a leading facility in the Northeast.
Dr. Chakraborty said the young patient, who was admitted in the hospital in January with critical kidney function, was required immediate dialysis.
During a “Mukhyamantri Samipesu” (Chief Minister’s Public Interaction) session, the patient’s family directly appealed for help to Dr. Saha. This prompted swift action – the team collaborated with Shija Hospitals and state doctors, conducted thorough medical examinations, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shija in May.
The surgery, performed on July 8, saw the patient’s mother generously donate a kidney. Significantly, the entire procedure was free for the patient, with the government covering all costs, including those for the visiting team from Manipur.
Dr. Guliver Potsangbam, a nephrologist from Shija Hospitals and Research Institute who led the team, confirmed the surgery’s success and the patient’s stable recovery.
He said that the surgery, initiated at 9 AM, concluded by 2:30 PM with a 100% success rate for organ survival. Dr. Potsangbam commended the Tripura team’s prompt implementation of recommendations and the well-equipped facilities at GB Pant Hospital.
He pledged continued mentorship until the GB Pant and AGMC team can independently perform such life-saving surgeries.