The rate of success of kidney plantation operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 95%, which is equal to the rate in the European countries and USA, though kidney transplantation in the Kingdom has started 5 years later than in other Asian and Mediterranean countries.
About 400 kidney transplantation operations are carried out in the Kingdom every year, whereas about 500-600 kidney failure patients follow their cases outside the Kingdom. This figure is expected to lower in the future as treatment in many countries foreign, especially countries which allow selling and purchasing kidneys, has always been connected with such dangerous diseases as AIDS, hepatitis B, and other.
Kidney failure patients are luckier now, in spite of the disease they suffer, because many types of treatment are now available for kidney failure, including haemodialysis, kidney transplantation, etc.
There are many channels for donating organs in the Kingdom:
a- After death donation (for those suffering brain death).
b- Donation of a relative who suffer from fatal organ failure (such as liver or kidney failure).
c- Donation to a kidney or liver failure patient without prior knowledge (Those who are suffering from diseases which may lead to kidney or liver failure are not allowed to donate).
It has been noticed that consumption of large amounts of calcium might lead to precipitation of calcium in the kidney or liver in the form of stones, especially in case of those who suffer from problems in absorbing large amounts of calcium, whereas in case of healthy persons only required amounts are absorbs and therefore no problem occurs.
The human being can also live with only one kidney. Even half of any of the two kidneys is enough.
The life expectancy of a transplanted organ depends greatly on the kinship between the donor and the patient. The more closer the kinship, the longer the life expectancy will be.
Immunodeficiency resulting from kidney transplants might also subject the patient to viral and bacterial infections. Therefore, the transplanted organ must be protected by avoiding contacts with patients of infectious diseases. Care also must be taken in cases of traveling and practicing exercises.
Moreover, all necessary checkups must be confirmed prior to kidney transplantation or blood transfusion operations.
Thanks to Almighty God. KSA is only country in the Middle East or the Arab World which carries out all types of transplantations, including kidney, liver, heart, lung, and pancreas transplantations. The rate of success of all such transplantations is high and might surpass the rate of success in the developed countries since it better to obtain transplant organs from inside the kingdom.
Dr. Faisal Shaheen
Consultant, kidney and Urinary Tracts