First kidney transplant ignites hope for patients at Polonnaruwa

The team of doctors included Dr. Joel Arudchelvam, Consultant Vascular and Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Rajeewa Dassanayake, Consultant Nephrologist, Dr. Haritha Mahesh Dharmakeerthi, Consultant Anaesthetist and Dr. Rasitha Wijewantha, Consultant Anaesthetist and Dr. Keerthi Weerawardhana, Consultant Surgeon.

The first-ever kidney transplant operation at the Polonnaruwa General Hospital was a success, transplant surgeon Dr Joel Arudchelvam who led the operating team told the Sunday Observer on Friday.

He said the donor and the patient could go home in a few days, unless the patient develops complications.

The patient, 35-year-old H.A. Lakshman Samankumara of the Unagalawekera Settlement Scheme was suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Aetiology (CKDu). The donor was his 58-year-old mother. "CKDu is common in the North Central Province(NCP). Many of our patients who were in an advanced stage of the disease, needed dialysis. Up to now 49 transplant operations have been performed in the NCP. I performed 17 of these operations at the Anuradhapura General Hospital last year and one this year."

He said since this was the first kidney transplant surgery at the Polonnaruwa General Hospital, there were a few obstacles that had to be overcome. Despite these initial hiccups the operation itself was a success and went off smoothly."

- CA