About Kidney Transplant in India
A kidney transplant in India is one of the ways to treat kidney disease and kidney failure. India has good doctors who do transplants and hospitals that are up to date. People from countries come to India for kidney transplants because they have a good chance of success, do not have to wait a long time, and can get the best medical care.
What is a Kidney Transplant?
Kidney Transplant or Renal Transplant is a procedure in which a person with completely failed kidneys will receive a healthy kidney from a person who has both the kidneys working in good condition. Thus, after the surgery both the men can continue to lead a healthy and normal life. The person receiving the kidney is called a “recipient” & the person donating the kidney is called a “donor”. After the transplant, the healthy kidney (the “graft”) takes over the functions of non working kidneys in the recipient.
Why Do We Need Kidney Transplant?
The need for a Renal Transplant arises when a person’s kidneys have lost all their functions and the Kidneys function is being managed artificially by the help of Dialyzing Machines.
Kidney transplant remains the only cure for chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Common Causes for Kidney Failure are –
● Diabetes mellitus
● High blood pressure
● Glomerulonephritis
● Polycystic Kidney Disease
● Severe anatomical problems of the urinary tract
Who is Suitable Donor for Kidney Transplant?
Suitable Kidney Donors
● Living related donor– First family relatives of the person receiving the kidney, i.e. either of the parents, siblings, or children are preferred donors. Being related, there is an increased chance of kidney being a stronger biological “match” for the patient & thus increases the chances of being accepted in a foreign body.
● Living unrelated donor – Friend or spouse can also donate. However, the recipient needs to be administered anti-rejection injections to reduce the chances of rejection of the transplanted kidney which is a foreign object in the body.
Many people worry that by donating a kidney they will become unhealthy or be in a dangerous situation. The living donor of the kidney is left with one healthy functioning kidney, which should be more than enough for the rest of the donor’s life. The donor’s activities are not usually limited.
What is The Complete Procedure of Kidney Transplant Surgery? (Recipient)
During the Kidney transplant procedure, the surgeon places the new kidney in the abdomen and attaches it to the artery that supplies blood to kidneys and to the vein that carries blood away from the kidney. The kidney is also attached to the ureter, which carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.
What is The Complete Procedure of Kidney Transplant Surgery? (Donor)
The complete procedure of kidney transplant surgery is performed in 3 ways by which the doctors may take out the kidney from the donor. Here are the given primary ways of the kidney donation procedure for the donor:
1. Simple kidney removal or Open Nephrectomy
● The surgeon will make an incision (cut) up to 12 inches long. This cut will be on the side, just below the ribs or right over the last ribs.
● Muscle, fat, and tissue are cut and moved. The surgeon may need to remove a rib to do the procedure.
● The tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder (ureter) and blood vessels are cut away from the kidney. The kidney is then removed.
● Sometimes, just a part of the kidney may be removed
● The cut is then closed with stitches or staples.
2. Radical kidney removal or Radical Nephrectomy
During the kidney transplant surgery, the surgeon will make a cut about 8 to 12 inches long. This cut will be on the front of your belly, just below your ribs. It may also be done through the side.
● Muscle, fat, and tissue are cut and moved. The tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder (ureter) and blood vessels are cut away from the kidney. The kidney is then removed.
● The surgeon will also take out the adrenal gland and some lymph nodes.
● The cut is then closed with stitches or staples.
3. Laparoscopic kidney removal or Laparoscopic Nephrectomy
● The surgeon will make 3 or 4 small cuts, usually no more than 1-inch each, in your belly and side. The surgeon will use tiny probes and a camera to do the surgery.
● Towards the end of the procedure, the doctor will make one of the cuts larger (around 4 inches) to take out the kidney.
● The surgeon will cut the ureter, place a bag around the kidney, and pull it through the larger cut.
● This surgery may take longer than an open kidney removal. However, most people recover faster and feel less pain afterwards compared to open surgery.
What is the Post-Transplant Procedure for Kidney Transplant?
Special care is taken post-surgery to minimize the risk of infection. Both the recipient & donor are closely monitored to ensure that the new organ is accepted by the body and to ensure optimum immunosuppressant medication. Post-discharge hospital stay for the recipient is usually 7-8 days &for the donor is about 5 days only.
Follow Up Care Post Kidney Transplantation:
Both the recipient & donor should take due care post-transplant & follow the medicine regime, take anti-rejection drugs as advised, have diet-lifestyle modifications & follow-up consults with the doctor as advised.
The doctors will conduct regular blood and urine tests, monitor blood pressure, temperature, and urine output. Ultrasounds may be done to see if there are any abnormalities with the transplanted kidney.
The period immediately following your transplant may be very stressful. Due care should be taken after your kidney transplantation surgery treatment.
What are the Benefits & Advantages of Kidney Transplant?
● No longer be bound to dialysis schedules
● Increased strength, stamina, and energy
● Lead a relatively normal lifestyle
● Have a normal diet and more normal fluid intake
● Anaemia, a common problem with kidney failure, might be corrected after transplantation
● Reduced medication post-transplant if you have hypertension (high blood pressure)
What are Documents Needed for Kidney Transplant Surgery?
There are some documents required for a kidney transplant surgery in India.
● Pass Port, Driving License, Work permit, any other government ID
● 4 – pass port size photographs
● Affidavit of patient and donor stating that the patient and the donor are related to each other
● In case the donor is a wife additional document as Marriage certificate with photographs
● A declaration from the head of family or the wife of the donor stating that he/she has no objection if the donor donates the Kidney to the recipient.
Kidney Transplant Success Rate in India
India is one of the places for kidney transplants. The success rate is as good as it is in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. When someone donates a kidney, the person who gets it has a good chance of being healthy after one year. The person who gets the kidney can live a healthy life.
The kidney transplant is successful because of several things. These things include the age and health of the person who gets the kidney, how well the kidney matches the person getting the transplant on time taking medicine as directed, and going to the doctor for check-ups. The person who gets the kidney should also take care of themselves by controlling things like diabetes, high blood pressure, and infections.
Most people who get a kidney transplant can go back to work, travel, and have a better life than they would if they were on dialysis for a long time.
Living Donor vs Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant
There are two types of kidney transplants. One is when a living person donates a kidney. The other is when someone who has died donates a kidney.
Here is how they are different:
* Waiting Time: If someone donates a kidney, the person who gets it does not have to wait. If someone who has died donates a kidney, the person who gets it has to wait for a time.
* Success Rate: When someone donates a kidney, the success rate is higher.
* How long the kidney lasts: A kidney from a living person can last for 15 to 20 years or more. A kidney from someone who has died can last for 10 to 15 years.
* Scheduling: When someone donates a kidney, the surgery can be planned. When someone who has died donates a kidney, the surgery depends on when a kidney’s available.
* Compatibility: When someone donates a kidney, they are usually a match for the person who gets it. When someone who has died donates a kidney, it is not always a match.
A living donor transplant is usually the option because it works better and the person who gets the kidney does not have to wait a long time.
The success rate of a kidney transplant in India is above 95%.
Kidney Transplant Recovery Timeline
The week after the transplant, the person who gets the kidney has to stay in the hospital. The doctors and nurses check on them a lot to make sure they are doing well.
After a week, most people can start doing things like they used to. They have to go to the doctor a lot and take their medicine.
After a month, people usually feel a lot better. They can start walking, going back to work, and doing exercise if their doctor says it is okay.
After a few months, most people can go back to their normal lives. They still have to go to the doctor to make sure they are doing well.
After one year, people have to go to the doctor a year to make sure their kidneys are working well.
Risk of Kidney Transplant Rejection
With good medicine, the person who gets the kidney might still have problems. There are three kinds of problems:
* Hyperacute Rejection: This is very rare and happens right after the transplant.
* Acute Rejection: This usually happens in the year and can be treated if caught early.
* Chronic Rejection: This happens over time. Can affect how well the kidney works.
If the person who gets the kidney has a fever, does not make urine, has swelling, high blood pressure, or pain near the kidney, they have to go to the doctor right away.
Going to the doctor a lot helps catch any problems before they get serious.
Immunosuppressant Medicines After Kidney Transplant
The person who gets the kidney has to take medicine for the rest of their life. This medicine helps their body not attack the kidney.
Various kinds of medicine can be used. Some of them are:
* Tacrolimus
* Cyclosporine
* Mycophenolate Mofetil
* Azathioprine
* Prednisolone
These medicines help the person who gets the kidney stay healthy.
If they stop taking their medicine without talking to their doctor they might have problems with their kidney.
Cost of Kidney Transplant in India
The cost of a kidney transplant in India starts at USD 11,000. This depends on the hospital, the city, and how hard the surgery is.
Estimated costs:
The Estimated cost of Initial Evaluations for patient and donor both will be approx. USD 2000-2500 on OPD basis for patient and donor both.
The Estimated Cost of Compatible Kidney Transplant at various hospitals-
| Hospitals | City | Estimated Cost of Kidney Transplant |
| Artemis Hospital | Gurgaon (DELHI NCR) | USD 13000 |
| Sanar Shalby Hospital | Gurgaon (DELHI NCR) | USD 11500 |
| Sarvodaya Hospital and Research Centre | Faridabad (DELHI NCR) | USD 11500 |
| Manipal Hospitals | New Delhi | USD 12000 |
| Aster Hospitals | Bangalore | USD 11000 |
| Fortis Hospital | Gurgaon (DELHI NCR) | USD 13000 |
| BLK Hospital | New Delhi | USD 13000 |
| Amrita Hospital | Faridabad (DELHI NCR) | USD 12000 |
| Medanta Hospital | Gurgaon (DELHI NCR) | USD 12500 |
Why International Patients Choose India for Kidney Transplant
Many people from countries come to India for kidney transplants. They come because India has doctors, good hospitals, and the cost is -not too high.
People from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Iraq, and Bangladesh often come to India for kidney transplants.
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Sunil Prakash
Designation: Senior Kidney Transplant Surgeon
Last Reviewed: June 2026
Written By: Ankush Dhankar
Role: International Patient Coordinator, HBG Medical Assistance
Read more: 15 Most Common Questions on Kidney Transplant
Learn More Testimonial: Gabriel, Kidney Transplant, Kenya and Andrea, Kidney Transplant Surgery, Tanzania
Learn More: Top 7 Kidney Transplant Hospitals in India
