13/06/2025
Breakthrough in Kidney Transplants at UTHs-ADULT HOSPITAL: A Testament to Teamwork and Heroic Donors
The University Teaching Hospitals (UTHs) Adult is celebrating a significant leap forward in its kidney transplant program, marked by the recent visit of renowned transplant chief Mark Malcher from the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Malcher, who spent a short-term visit this week, expressed immense satisfaction with the progress, highlighting the success of two recent transplant operations, with a third one underway today, June 13th.
These three new transplants bring the total for the year to eight (8), a remarkable achievement given that five operations were performed in the first quarter alone. This growing momentum signifies a promising future for kidney transplant services in Zambia.
Dr. Malcher underscored that this success is a direct result of strong collaboration between UTHs-Adult Hospital and the American medical team. He particularly emphasized the pivotal role played by living donors, who are relatives of the recipients and are making this possible, Dr. Malcher stated, "because relatives to the recipients are coming up to donate their kidneys, and these donors should be recognized as heroes.
Adding to this positive outlook, UTH Senior Medical Superintendent Dr. Charles Mbewe stated that the aim is to conduct 20 transplants this year. With eight already completed, two more camps are scheduled, requiring six transplants per camp to meet the goal. Dr. Mbewe is optimistic, anticipating that UTH will achieve 80 to 90 percent of its target by year-end. He expressed satisfaction with the current collaboration, emphasizing the crucial skills transfer to local surgeons. The long-term vision is for subsequent transplants to be performed by UTH's own medical team, with continued government support. This collaborative effort is not only saving lives but also building local capacity for sustainable kidney transplant services in Zambia.
The National Coordinator -Nephrology Services Consultant Nephrology Dr Aggrey Mweemba added in conclusion that, the kidney transplant program is rapidly advancing, with the ambitious goal of performing weekly transplants within the next five years, a significant jump from the current quarterly schedule. Already, local UTHs surgeons are handling 50% of the kidney implantation process. The program's success, driven by collaboration with an American team and the invaluable contributions of heroic living donors, is leading towards a future where, by mid-next year, American counterparts will merely observe as Zambian surgeons independently perform these life-saving procedures.
UTHs-ADULT
Public Relations Unit
