Qatar- New procedure enhancing treatment for kidney transplant patients at HMC

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Patients requiring kidney transplant procedures are benefiting from a new procedure, the ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation, implemented at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) last year. 
Kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for patients with kidney failure as it increases survival and improves quality of life. Dr. Yousuf Al Maslamani, Director of the Qatar Center for Organ Transplantation at HMC said ABO-incompatible transplantation permits more efficient use of available organs regardless of ABO blood type. 
'With standard kidney transplants, the recipient's blood group must be compatible with the donor's blood group. However, recent advances in the field of transplantation have made it possible for transplantations to be performed in cases where the recipient and donor have incompatible blood groups,explained Dr. Al Maslamani. 
He said that last year saw the introduction of this new sophisticated technology in Qatar and the first blood group incompatible kidney transplant procedure was successfully done at HMC in May 2019 between a mother and her daughter. 
Dr. Riadh Abdul Sattar Fadhil, Director of the Qatar Organ Donation Center (Hiba) at HMC said the introduction of this new procedure is a significant step forward for kidney transplantation in Qatar. 
'As the technology, system, and safety have been achieved, we are preparing many patients to have ABO-incompatible kidney transplantations in 2020, explained Dr. Fadhil. 
'The ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation is a unique project that allows for successful kidney transplantation across the ABO blood group barrier by reducing the circulating-related antibody levels using new technology and immunotherapy. This will expand the kidney donor pool, improve access to kidney transplantation, and shorten the waiting list and waiting time for kidney transplantation, added Dr. Fadhil.
The implementation of ABO-incompatible kidney transplantations is the result of the collaboration of a number of departments across HMC, including Nephrology, Uro-transplant, the Blood Donation Center, and the Department of Laboratory Pathology and Medicine. 
Dr. Hassan Al Malki, Head of Nephrology at HMC says chronic kidney disease and end-stage-kidney-disease are highly prevalent worldwide, and he noted that these conditions are on the increase here in Qatar. 
'Globally, chronic kidney disease causes over 2.4 million deaths each year and is the sixth fastest-growing cause of death. Around 10 percent of the world's population is affected by chronic kidney disease and it is estimated that the disease affects 13 percent of Qatar's population, said Dr. Al Malki.
'The incidence of dialysis therapy for end-stage-kidney-disease in Qatar has increased from 82 people per million population in 2013 to 120 people per million population in 2018. Due to this significant increase in the number of patients requiring kidney transplant procedures in Qatar, it is essential that we continue to improve the quality and range of treatment options available, added Dr. Al Malki. 
 

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