The Polonnaruwa China-Sri Lanka Friendship National Nephrology Hospital has successfully carried out its first pediatric kidney transplant, hospital officials said.According to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, the surgery was performed on May 7 on a 15-year-old patient, with the kidney donated by the child’s father.
Hospital Director Specialist Dr Dilka Saranasinghe said both the child and the donor had recovered well following the procedure.
Officials said the surgery marked the first pediatric kidney transplant carried out at a peripheral hospital in Sri Lanka outside a dedicated children’s hospital.The hospital also said that it is now prepared to perform pediatric kidney transplants for children across the country based on medical requirements.
According to the ministry, such procedures are often carried out in countries including India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States, but overseas treatment remains financially difficult for many Sri Lankan families.
