Star Hospitals, Hyderabad Unveils India's First Nationwide Paired (Swap) Kidney Donation Registry

India is facing a worrying shortage of kidney donors. Every year, over 2,00,000 patients require a kidney transplant, but only around 8,000 to 12,000 transplants actually occur. This stark gap can be attributed to various factors such as diabetes, malnutrition, overcrowding, and poor sanitation, all contributing to the high prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in India, affecting approximately 17% of the population. CKD often progresses to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Despite the availability of advanced treatment options, only 3% to 5% of patients undergo kidney transplantation. The primary reason for this low percentage is the lack of donors. According to the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Act, only family members can donate kidneys to their relatives. However, mismatches in blood groups lead to rejection in 40% of cases. This situation leaves patients with limited options. ABO Incompatible Kidney Transplantation & Paired (Swap) Kidney Exchange are viable solutio