The Paschimanchal Regional Hospital under the Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) has successfully conducted its first kidney transplantation – marking a relief for patients suffering from kidney ailments in Gandaki Province, who would otherwise have to make a journey to Kathmandu to avail the service.

The kidney transplantation was conducted on a 53-year-old woman from Annapurna Rural Municipality in the district on Thursday. The organ was donated to her by her husband.

According to a RSS report, “It took four hours for a team of specialist doctors to transplant the kidney.”

Executive Director at PAHS, Prof Dr Bharat Bahadur Khatri shared happiness on the successful kidney transplantion. The surgery was made possible with the cooperation of Martyr Dharmabhakta National Transplantation Centre, Bhaktapur and the Academy. Centre’s Dr Pukar Chandra Shrestha and PAHS’ Dr Prakash Chhetri, Dr Anup Chapagain, Dr Maya Lama, Dr Juju Shrestha and Dr Amrit KC were involved in the organ transplantation.

The PAHS availed permission from the Human Organ Transplantation Coordination Secretariat under the Health Service Department on June 17, according to Information Officer, Suman Bhattarai. The PAHS had made an agreement with the Martyr Dharmabhakta National Transplantation Centre for its role to provide necessary human resources to conduct the transplantation.

The Hospital has said the entire cost of the operation was free. Expansion of this new service has been planned by the Hospital.

It is said there are around 500 kidney patients receiving dialyses service every day in Pokhara.