BHAKTAPUR: The Shahid Dharmabhakta National Transplant Center has successfully carried out a third kidney transplant on the same patient, marking a medical milestone for Nepal.

Former Sudurpaschim Province minister Laxmikishor Chaudhary underwent his third transplant on August 24 and was discharged on Saturday.

His first transplant was in Lucknow, India, while the second (2015) and third procedures were performed at the Bhaktapur center under Executive Director Dr. Pukar Chandra Shrestha.

Dr. Shrestha highlighted that third-time kidney transplants are extremely rare globally due to surgical complexity, limited donor availability, and higher risks, including immunological rejection, infections, and chronic complications. Chaudhary’s latest surgery was conducted using a paired-exchange system with unrelated donors.

Since its establishment 13 years ago, the center has performed 1,502 kidney transplants and 35 liver transplants. Dr. Shrestha noted that this achievement demonstrates that advanced kidney transplants are now feasible in Nepal, setting a benchmark for future complex procedures.