Kolkata : Strengthening access to advanced organ transplant care in Eastern India, Manipal Hospitals has launched the Manipal Comprehensive Transplant Centre in Kolkata. The dedicated centre will offer integrated transplant services for heart, kidney, liver and bone marrow, bringing together specialised expertise, advanced medical infrastructure and a multidisciplinary care model under one roof.
The centre was launched on the occasion of World Kidney Day, marking a significant step towards improving access to life-saving transplant services in a region where the demand for advanced organ transplant procedures has been steadily rising.
Designed as a full-spectrum transplant facility, the centre will provide seamless care from patient evaluation and diagnosis to surgery, post-transplant recovery and long-term follow-up. By integrating expertise across cardiology, nephrology, hepatology, urology, oncology and transplant surgery, the initiative aims to create a strong and collaborative ecosystem for organ transplantation in Eastern India.
During the launch programme, leading specialists from the hospital group shared insights on the current transplant landscape and the growing need for specialised transplant services in the region.
Speaking about the evolving trend in heart transplantation, Dr. Kunal Sarkar, Director and Senior Consultant – Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Manipal Hospitals Mukundapur Cluster, highlighted the progress and challenges associated with heart transplant procedures in Eastern India.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dilip Kumar Pahari, Director – Nephrology, Manipal Hospitals EM Bypass, and Dr. Upal Sengupta, Director – Team Nephrology and Clinical Lead at Manipal Hospital Dhakuria and Senior Consultant at Manipal Hospitals Broadway, Salt Lake and Mukundapur, discussed the current landscape of kidney transplantation in the region.
Insights into the advancements in bone marrow transplantation were shared by Dr. Rajib De, Consultant and Clinical Lead – Clinical Haematology, Haemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), Manipal Hospital EM Bypass.
Highlighting the importance of collaborative care in transplant success, Dr. Upal Sengupta said that kidney transplantation remains the most effective treatment for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease, but the gap between demand and availability continues to be a major challenge in India.
“Every year, nearly two lakh patients in the country require a kidney transplant, but only around 5,000 to 7,000 procedures are performed. With the launch of the Manipal Comprehensive Transplant Centre, we aim to strengthen multidisciplinary transplant care in Eastern India by bringing together specialists across nephrology, urology, critical care and transplant surgery, ensuring seamless evaluation, surgery and long-term follow-up for patients,” he said.
A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Upal Sengupta was also organised during the event, where leading specialists deliberated on the challenges, technological advancements and collaborative strategies required to strengthen transplant services in the region.
The panel featured eminent experts including Dr. Arghya Majumdar, Dr. Avinandan Banerjee, Dr. Smartya Pulai, Dr. Ranjan Sarkar, Dr. Abhay Kumar, Dr. T. K. Saha, Dr. P. K. Mishra, Dr. Bastab Ghosh, and Dr. Rajiv Sinha, who shared their perspectives on strengthening transplant care and improving patient outcomes.
Speaking about the significance of the initiative, Dr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Regional Director – East, Manipal Hospitals, said that Eastern India is witnessing a rising burden of organ failure driven by conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and chronic kidney disease.
“Across India, the demand for organ transplants far exceeds availability. Tens of thousands of patients remain on transplant waitlists for kidneys, livers and hearts every year, while only a fraction of these procedures are performed. Through this comprehensive centre, we aim to bring together world-class expertise, advanced infrastructure and a multidisciplinary care model to strengthen transplant services in the region, improve patient outcomes and promote greater awareness around organ donation,” he said.
With the launch of the Manipal Comprehensive Transplant Centre, Manipal Hospitals Kolkata has further reinforced its commitment to advancing transplant medicine and expanding access to life-saving organ transplant services across Eastern India.
