KUWAIT: The kidney transplant program at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital reached a new milestone with 149 successful kidney transplants performed in 2024, surpassing the previous record of 140 transplants in 2023.

Dr Saja Surour, Head of the Organ Transplantation Department at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that this achievement reflects the hospital’s ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive healthcare services. She attributed the success to the collaboration between medical teams and various hospital departments, and highlighted the goal to continue increasing kidney transplants for patients with kidney failure in the upcoming year.

Dr Surour also acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Health for its role in advancing the program. She also recognized the contribution of medical teams and national initiatives in the program’s progress. Dr Colin Forman, Consultant Transplant Surgeon at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, explained that the opening of the Organ Transplantation Department in March 2024 marked a significant development for the hospital’s transplant program. The availability of a range of medical specialties has helped increase the program’s efficiency, enabling the team to manage more complex cases.

Dr Colin Forman, Consultant Transplant Surgeon at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital.
The organ transplant team performs a surgery.

Dr Forman also noted that the expansion of hospital resources has contributed to a nearly twofold increase in the number of kidney transplants compared to previous years. This development is part of broader efforts to enhance organ transplant services in Kuwait.

The Organ Transplantation Department at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital was inaugurated in March 2024, along with the launch of the National Kidney Exchange Program. This initiative aims to expand the donor pool and improve transplant success rates, benefiting patients awaiting kidney transplants. — KUNA