As Kenya joins the world in marking Transplant Day, it has emerged that the country still has low transplants.
Data from the Ministry of Health show that from 2012 to 2023, 1,000 kidney transplants were done in Kenya while in 2021, only 160 kidney transplants were done. This is compared to 5,700 patients who were on hemodialysis, which gives a transplant conversion rate of 2.8% against a rate of approximately 10% observed globally.
How many Kenyans have Kidney disease?
Studies further show that from a population of 52,214,791 people, approximately 5 million Kenyans have some form of chronic kidney disease with a significant proportion expected to progress to kidney failure.
Specifically, the estimated number of patients with End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) who require renal replacement therapy (kidney transplants) is 12,500.
By October 2023, 8,300 patients (or about 50% of estimated Kenyans with kidney disease) were undergoing chronic hemodialysis treatments. Even though a majority of kidney patients opt for dialysis treatment due to various factors, the number of transplants in the country is still quite low.
Corneal transplants in Kenya
Apart from kidney cases, an estimated 75,000 people need corneal transplants with over 1,000 documented patients on the waiting lists across the various eye hospitals in the country awaiting corneal transplantation.
In 2023, about 600 corneal transplant surgeries were successfully conducted in Kenya.
However, just like kidney transplants, the facilities conducting corneal transplants cannot meet the patient’s demand due to the limited number of tissues procured.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Service are on course to develop a comprehensive framework of policies and guidelines to ensure quality and ethical practices whilst safeguarding the rights and well-being of donors and recipients as well as families and communities.
“Kenya Government commitment remains resolute to creating an environment that enforces good governance and supports effective and efficient regulation of organ donation and transplant in the country,” said the Ministry of Health in a statement ahead of the marking of World Transplant Day 2024.
When is World Transplant Day marked?
World Transplant Day (WTD) is a celebration on the 6th of June every year. The day promoted by the World Health Organization and National Transplant Organizations, serves as a reminder that thousands of people around the world are alive thanks to transplantation.
