Kidney transplants approved: Jharkhand committee greenlights kidney transplant services; Relief for patients avoiding out-of-state procedures

Ranchi: The advisory committee of the state health department, set up under Human Organ Transplantation Act (THOA) of 1994, on Friday approved the rollout of kidney transplant procedures at two hospitals in the state capital. The move is expected to provide relief to hundreds of patients who travel to higher medical centres across the country for the procedure.In a statement, the department said Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims), the biggest govt run medical college hospital in Jharkhand, was cleared to begin the procedure alongside Raj Hospital, a private facility.“During the meeting, the committee unanimously agreed to grant kidney transplant licences to Rims and Raj Hospital. The licences will be issued shortly, after which kidney transplant services will officially commence in the state," the statement read.Chaired by additional chief secretary health Ajoy Kumar Singh, the committee also discussed the scope of beginning liver and heart transplant procedures in the remaining govt medical colleges and private facilities in the state. The proposals will be discussed in detail with representatives of the medical colleges on Jan 15, department officials said.Singh said, “Required infrastructure upgrade is also being considered for the new service (kidney transplant) so that patients do not face any inconvenience during treatment. The department has also finalised a special package under the Mukhyamantri Gambhir Bimari Yojna, through treatment for critical illnesses will be made possible within the state.”Singh said the patients will be treated under the scheme outside Jharkhand only if they are not covered under the Ayushman Bharat Mukhyamantri Abua Health Security Scheme.