NEW DELHI: AIIMS Raipur has achieved a major medical milestone by successfully performing its first Swap Kidney Transplant (also known as Kidney Paired Transplant - KPT), becoming the first among the newer AIIMS institutions and the first government hospital in Chhattisgarh to carry out this complex and life-saving procedure. This landmark surgery not only showcases the hospital’s clinical excellence but also marks a significant step forward in expanding access to advanced renal care in the region.

Conducted under the guidance of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the swap transplant was performed on 15th March 2025. The procedure involved two patients from Bilaspur suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD), both of whom had been on dialysis for three years. Despite having willing donors in their spouses, blood group incompatibility (B+ and O+ in one pair; O+ and B+ in the other) made direct transplantation impossible. By exchanging donors between the two pairs, both recipients received compatible kidneys, resulting in a successful outcome for all four individuals. All patients are currently recovering well in the Transplant ICU.

Swap Kidney Transplants are increasingly seen as a vital option for expanding transplant opportunities, potentially increasing transplant numbers by up to 15%. The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has recommended implementing swap transplants across all states and union territories, with plans for a unified ‘One Nation One Swap Transplant Programme’ to streamline and scale this life-saving option nationwide.

AIIMS Raipur’s transplant team included Dr. Vinay Rathore (Transplant Physician), Dr. Amit R Sharma, Dr. Deepak Biswal, and Dr. Satyadeo Sharma (Transplant Surgeons), along with anesthesiologists Dr. Subrat Singha, Dr. Mayank, Dr. Jitendra, and Dr. Sarita Ramchandani, supported by transplant coordinators, OT staff, and nursing teams.

Beyond this achievement, AIIMS Raipur has emerged as a trailblazer in organ transplantation. It is the first among newer AIIMS to initiate Deceased Donor Organ Donation and Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation, as well as the first in Chhattisgarh to perform Deceased Donor Paediatric Kidney Transplants. In total, AIIMS Raipur has performed 54 kidney transplants to date, with a 95% graft survival rate and a 97% patient survival rate, reflecting its commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative healthcare.

With continued advancements and a strong focus on transplant innovation, AIIMS Raipur is playing a pivotal role in improving outcomes for kidney patients across Chhattisgarh and beyond.