By: Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News|
Guyana has achieved a groundbreaking medical milestone with the successful completion of the Caribbean’s first-ever four-pair kidney chain transplant at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The historic procedure, performed between September 29 and October 2, involved eight surgeries and represents one of the most advanced transplant techniques executed in the region.
According to Dr. Kishore Persaud, Head of Transplant Surgery at GPHC, the achievement was made possible through virtual cross-matching. This technology enables doctors to identify compatible donors among previously incompatible pairs.
Dr. Persaud explained that each of the four recipient patients initially had a biologically incompatible donor. Through the chain exchange system, the medical team matched each recipient with a compatible donor within the pool, enabling all four patients to receive life-saving kidney transplants.
“This achievement involved four sets of patients who were incompatible,” Dr. Persaud explained. “None of them had a donor who could have donated a kidney to them successfully. With the chain system, every patient received a suitable match.”
He emphasized that all eight surgeries were executed entirely by Guyanese doctors and medical staff, a significant point of pride for the national health system.
GPHC is now the only transplant center in the Caribbean capable of performing paired-exchange transplants. With this procedure, it has become the first to complete a multi-pair chain transplant in the region successfully.
Government to Expand Local Expertise
Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony announced plans to strengthen Guyana’s transplant program further. A local doctor will travel to India next year for advanced training in HLA testing, a specialized process that determines donor-recipient compatibility. This will boost the country’s capacity to conduct complex transplant evaluations locally.
“This equipment requires specially trained personnel,” Dr. Anthony said. “One of our doctors will be going to India in the new year to be trained so we can expand these services.”
Rising Burden of Kidney Disease in Guyana
GPHC CEO Robbie Rambarran highlighted that kidney disease remains a significant public health challenge. In 2023, it ranked as the ninth leading cause of death worldwide, and Guyana has seen a surge in new diagnoses.
Rambarran revealed that 368 patients are currently receiving dialysis at GPHC, with 246 of them beginning treatment this year alone. Additionally, more than 2,200 new patients have been registered at the hospital’s nephrology clinic since 2023.
The success of this historic transplant chain, authorities say, represents not only a medical triumph but also renewed hope for hundreds of Guyanese battling kidney failure.
