Patna : Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) is preparing to expand its transplant services, with kidney, liver and bone marrow transplantation planned at the state-run hospital.
The hospital administration has started preparations following discussions with the state Health Department and medical specialists. PMCH Superintendent Dr Rajiv Kumar Singh said the hospital is targeting February to begin kidney and bone marrow transplantation, along with other transplant services.
Separately, the hospital has set a six-month timeframe for starting kidney and liver transplantation, with preparations for the programme already underway.
Kidney And Liver Transplants To Be Linked To Organ Donation
PMCH has constituted a brain-death committee under the leadership of Dr Rajiv Kumar Singh to facilitate the organ donation process required for kidney and liver transplantation.
The committee includes the heads of the Nephrology, Neurology and Medicine departments. It was formed following directions from the Health Department.
When a patient is declared brain-dead at the hospital, the committee will facilitate counselling for the patient’s family regarding organ donation. If the family agrees to donation and the medical and legal requirements are met, organs such as the kidneys and liver can be considered for transplantation.
According to the hospital administration, the kidney and liver transplant programme will be started with support from the Mohan Foundation, and the planned service will be provided free of cost to eligible patients.
Bone Marrow Transplant Also On The Roadmap
Along with kidney and liver transplantation, PMCH is preparing to introduce bone marrow transplant services.
Dr Gopal Prasad, head of PMCH’s Nephrology Department, said a meeting involving the Health Department secretary and medical specialists was held on September 8 to discuss the expansion of transplant facilities.
The Nephrology Department will play a key role in developing kidney transplant services, while bone marrow transplantation will require coordination with the relevant specialist departments and supporting medical infrastructure.
The hospital is working to put the necessary facilities, equipment, specialist teams and other arrangements in place before the targeted launch.
Beyond Cornea Transplantation
PMCH already provides cornea transplantation services, and the planned expansion would significantly broaden the range of transplant procedures available at the government hospital.
The administration is also examining the introduction of other transplant services. However, the start of individual procedures will depend on the completion of the required infrastructure, specialist staffing, equipment, approvals and other clinical arrangements.
Reducing The Need To Travel Outside Bihar
Patients requiring complex transplant procedures often travel outside Bihar to access specialised treatment. Major medical centres in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata are among the destinations for patients seeking such care.
Treatment outside the state can add travel, accommodation and other expenses for patients and their families, apart from the medical costs involved.
The proposed transplant services at PMCH could provide patients with access to specialised treatment within Bihar once the facilities become operational.
Free Treatment Planned For Eligible Patients
According to the PMCH administration, the planned kidney and liver transplant services will be provided free of cost to eligible patients, with support from the Mohan Foundation.
Transplant procedures require specialised teams, extensive pre-transplant evaluation, surgery and long-term follow-up. Establishing these services at a government hospital is therefore dependent on putting the necessary clinical and support systems in place.
PMCH is now working on these arrangements, with February as the stated target for kidney and bone marrow transplantation, while the kidney-liver transplant programme has been planned within a six-month timeframe.
