KMC to provide free kidney transplants to 3 underprivileged patients
All necessary treatment and medical services for these patients will be fully covered by the hospital.
KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Medical College (KMC) has announced that it will provide free kidney transplant services to three underprivileged and critically ill patients.
At a press conference on Wednesday, the hospital confirmed that preparations are underway for the free transplants of 19-year-old Rajesh Rai from Khotang, Jitendra Mahara from Morang, and Mingma Khandu Sherpa from Taplejung.
All necessary treatment and medical services for these patients will be fully covered by the hospital.
Earlier, KMC successfully performed a free kidney transplant on Narayan Lama from Humla, who has already been discharged after recovery.
Kidney transplant specialist Dr. Suresh Maharjan stated that transplantation is the primary treatment for kidney failure, while dialysis is usually considered when patients cannot find a donor or face financial constraints.
He also noted that the hospital has completed 71 successful kidney transplants so far, including four foreign nationals.
KMC operator Dr. Sunil Sharma criticized the unequal implementation of national health policies, arguing that constitutional guarantees of equal healthcare access are not reflected in practice.
He emphasized that citizens from remote regions such as Olangchungola in Taplejung to Sarkegad in Humla deserve equal access to medical services.
Dr. Sharma also dismissed government announcements of free post-transplant medication as largely symbolic, claiming that underprivileged patients in remote areas are not benefiting in reality.
He further pointed out that only patients treated in government hospitals receive medication support, leaving those treated in private hospitals at a disadvantage.
He highlighted long waiting times of 6–8 months in government hospitals for transplants, which increases financial burdens on patients.
Dr. Sharma called for stronger coordination between public and private hospitals and urged the government to ensure medication support for all transplant patients, regardless of where the procedure is performed.
He also revealed that even patients who received free transplants at KMC often have to spend Rs 400,000–500,000 on post-transplant medicines, stressing the need for immediate policy reform.
