Papua New Guinea made medical history Wednesday, 14th May with its first ever and successful kidney transplant.
According to PMGH CEO, a healthy kidney was harvested from a living donor on Wednesday afternoon, and the recipient was immediately taken in for surgery.
By 5am this morning, the recipient began producing urine – a strong sign that the transplanted kidney is functioning well.
Leading the groundbreaking operation is renowned kidney surgeon Dr Damien Hasola from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
A second transplant case was already confirmed for late Thursday.
Dr Hasola, who has long championed the establishment of kidney transplant services in PNG, described the moment as the fulfillment of a dream.
His leadership and dedication have now placed PNG on the map for organ transplant surgery.
Beyond the operating theatre, Dr Hasola is also the father of the current Miss PNG 2024. Last year, his family faced online harassment, prompting a public statement of support from Prime Minister James Marape. Today, he is being recognised not only as a brilliant surgeon but also as a proud and resilient Papua New Guinean.
Health Minister Elias Kapavore described the milestone as a first for the country and region- adding that patients now can now access treatment cheaply and within country.
It costs about K500,000 (US$120,000) for a kidney transplant overseas, and with the service provided in the country, the Health Minister has assured it will cost less than 10 thousand kina (US$2,416).
Kapavore said about 50 patients visit the Port Moresby General Hospital for dialysis 3 times a week.
This historic transplant comes after the National Executive Council approved the enabling National Surgical, Obstetrics, and Anesthetic Policy – paving way for this milestone organ transplant.
A temporary license was approved by the recently sworn in Medical Board team, led by Chairman, Dr Paul Sali, for the visiting Kidney transplant team from the United Kingdom to undertake.
This policy took more than seven years and comprises comprehensive sets of standard operational procedures to operationalise the policy.
The Kidney Transplant Steering Committee is led by Chief Surgeon at PMGH Dr Okti Poki and his team of clinicians with team leader and kidney surgeon Dr Damien Hasola.