Sharda Hospital has successfully conducted Greater Noida’s first kidney transplant under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, significantly expanding access to advanced renal treatment for economically vulnerable patients.

The beneficiary, a 32-year-old man suffering from advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), had been battling worsening renal complications triggered during hypertension treatment. Despite undergoing regular hemodialysis through a surgically created fistula, his health continued to deteriorate, marked by severe headaches, persistently high blood pressure, and abnormal renal parameters.

With limited financial means and rising clinical risk, the patient turned to the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) for support. In a first for the Greater Noida region, Sharda Hospital successfully completed the transplant under the government-backed health assurance scheme, fully covering the cost of surgery, hospitalisation, and post-operative care.

Following an extensive pre-transplant work-up, including HLA compatibility testing, the patient’s father was identified as a suitable donor. The transplant was carried out by the hospital’s multidisciplinary nephrology and urology teams, resulting in a smooth post-operative recovery and restoration of normal kidney function.

Dr Bheem Raj Gupta, Director and Unit Head of Nephrology at Sharda Hospital, said kidney transplantation remains the gold standard for end-stage renal disease, offering significantly better long-term survival and quality of life than prolonged dialysis.

“By performing this transplant under Ayushman Bharat, we have not only implanted a well-functioning kidney but restored a young man’s ability to lead a productive, dialysis-free life. High-end clinical interventions should no longer remain the privilege of a few,” he said.

Dr Shilpi Tiwari, Senior Consultant, Urology, noted that the case also reflects the rising burden of kidney disease among younger Indians, driven by uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, sedentary lifestyles, and delayed diagnosis.

“Kidney transplants are often inaccessible because of the high cost. Through Ayushman Bharat, we were able to provide timely, life-saving care without imposing financial stress on the patient’s family,” she said.

Dr. Kousar Shah, Group CEO, Sharda Hospital and ShardaCare-Healthcity, said the successful procedure demonstrates how public healthcare financing can bridge critical access gaps in advanced treatment, aligning with the government’s broader push for inclusive and equitable healthcare delivery.