Factors Influencing the Cost of Kidney Transplantation

The price of kidney transplant in India differs tremendously depending on the institution, surgeon, post-operative treatment, the medicines, the type of donor and the condition of the patient.

Type of Institution:

• The hospital where you get your treatment impacts your overall treatment cost. Based on the type of hospitals whether it's managed by government, private, or by a trust the expense of treatment offered also varies.

• The government hospitals might perform this surgery free of cost . But,the problem is that one cannot get it done in an emergency, as there may be a large number of deserving people in the waiting list.

• In a privately owned specialty hospital, they might charge a minimum of 10 lakhs for one kidney transplant.

• The room charges of the hospital can be different depending on factors such as the type of room whether it is general or private.

Surgeon's Expertise & Reputation:

A kidney transplant is a complex procedure that requires great accuracy and patience.The experience and proficiency of a surgeon also affects the expenses of the surgical procedure. Surgeons who possess years of experience and high qualification charge more for performing surgeries.

Medical examinations and tests:

Before a kidney transplant, the donor and recipient must undergo a series of medical screening tests to ensure you are suitable for the procedure. These tests include blood tests, tissue compatibility , imaging reviews and consultations with various specialists. The cost of these inspections and tests can vary depending on the complexity and scope of the inspections required.

Post-transplant medication & follow-up care:

After donor surgery, the recipient will need immunosuppressive drugs for life to prevent organ rejection. Furthermore, post transplant care, including follow-up periods, laboratory tests, and monitoring, is essential to ensure the success of the transplant and meet potential challenges

Prescribed Medications:

• Special medications called immunosuppressive drugs or anti-rejection medications are prescribed during surgery and post recovery period. These medications are expensive as most of them are produced internationally and have patents which cost more.

• These are important medications as they prevent the new kidney from rejection and allow a good kidney function and placement in the patient. Pre- and post-operative medication costs are assessed separately from surgical costs.

Type of Donor:

Whether the transplant comes from a deceased donor or a living one affects the price. Because living donors require less money for procurement and preservation, they are often more affordable.

Condition of patient:

Patients with complex medical records also need for more in-depth evaluations and post-operative treatment, which raises the expense.

Expenses Related to Kidney Transplant in India

The expense of Kidney transplant is not limited to the surgical process alone. Patients may have to cover the expenses of the preoperative testing, surgery, post-operative care, or prescription drugs.

It is mandatory to assess the patient's medical condition by conducting various preoperative tests. By conducting such tests and scans we can identify potential risks to patients and also verify whether they are suitable for the procedure.

Also the donor has to undergo a series of blood tests and scans to determine whether they are healthy and compatible to donate a kidney to the receiver.

The charges of anaesthesia, Operation theatre and ICU charges,fees of surgeon and other medical staff , medical equipment related charges etc. are included in the procedure charges.

After the kidney transplant patient requires expensive immunosuppressive therapy to avoid organ rejection. The room rents,post operative care charges , charges of medicines, follow-up visits expenses comes under post-operative expenses. In addition to these direct costs, indirect costs such as transportation and accommodation costs also add up.

The estimate expenses of various elements of kidney transplant procedure in India is given in the table below :

Kidney Transplant Cost In Major Cities

Note: The above cost is an estimated value that can vary according to the surgeon, hospital, and location.

Comparison of Kidney Transplant Cost in India With Other Countries

The cost of a kidney transplant in India is much lower than in other countries. The table given below provides a comparison of Kidney transplant surgery expense of India with other major countries :