KIDNEY TRANSPLANT SERVICES

Dr Nonkala offers kidney transplant services for patients who qualify for kidney transplants. Dialysis is a bridge to transplantation but not all patients will qualify for a kidney transplant since risk stratification is very important for good outcomes.

Dr Nonkala will do the necessary preparation and discuss the patient's case with the kidney transplant panel. Educating patients about the transplant process, medications required, and possible complications after kidney transplantation, all form part of our service offering.

KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS IN SA

Dr Nonkala actively facilitates the entire kidney transplantation process. If a patient wishes to come off dialysis, a kidney transplant workup is done, a discussion is held with the renal transplant panel and all intra-operative and post-operative renal care are included.

Kidney transplants offer a longer lifespan than dialysis, allowing for a more active lifestyle with fewer dietary restrictions. Interestingly, kidneys from living donors typically having a longer lifespan.

In South Africa, kidney transplant success rates are generally good, with high survival rates for both recipients and grafts. One-year recipient survival is around 94%, while graft survival is about 91.7%. After 10 years, approximately 80% of recipients and 67% of grafts are still functioning, according to research from the SciELO SA.

We help patients thrive with their new kidney! Many of our patients lead healthy, fulfilling lives after a transplant, with improved energy and quality of life.

KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION PROCESS

The transplantation of a kidney generally follows this process:

Initial Evaluation - medical assessments to determine if patient is a suitable candidate for a kidney transplant, and discussing it with the Kidney Transplant Panel.
Donor Identification - finding a suitable kidney donor, which can be a living donor (e.g. a friend or family member) or a deceased donor for which there typically is a waiting list.
Surgery - performing the meticulous kidney transplant surgery itself.
Post-transplant Care - preventing complications like infection or rejection of the new kidney & regular follow-up appointments, blood tests & meds adjustments.
Medication - patients require lifelong immunosuppressant medications to prevent the body from rejecting the kidney, patient to be monitored for side-effects from this.
Long-term Support - ongoing management of health, diet, and other lifestyle adjustments, as well as social and psychological support to help patients cope with the impact of kidney transplantation on their lives.