The Himachal Pradesh government on 22nd August informed the state Assembly that the first Organ Transplantation Unit was successfully commissioned at the Indra Gandhi Medical College, with transplantation of two Kidneys in the Hospital, Shimla recently.

Giving a suo-motu statement on the issue, Health Minister said the advance surgery was conducted by a seven-member expert team from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. He informed that IGMC Hospital successfully operated two patients for Kidney transplantation on August 12, scripting history of launching this advance health facility, first time in the state. The Minister said after commissioning this organ transplantation centre at IGMC, the government has fulfilled one of the promises made by Chief Minister, in the 2018-19 state budget.

The Minister informed the House that currently, 1200 kidney patients were registered in the state, out of who, 500 required transplantation. He said this facility would benefit a number of patients, who have been deprived so far from this, due to either non-availability of the service in the state, or due to economic reasons.

Kidney-related ailments were increasing in the state due to high blood pressure and hyperglycemia. Patients have to go for transplantation at last, when the ailment reaches an alarming stage, the Minister informed the House. The government also trained IGMC staff and doctors in AIIMS and PGIMR Chandigarh before commissioning this facility and one Intensive Care unit for the transplantation of Kidney having three bed Dialysis Unit was also set up in the IGMC for this purpose, he said. As many as 17 Doctors and other staff were trained in AIIMS and PGI, before setting up this unit, he added.