In a landmark decision for healthcare in Jharkhand, the state's health department advisory committee has given the green light for kidney transplant procedures to begin at two major hospitals in the capital city of Ranchi. This move, approved on Friday, is set to end the arduous journeys of hundreds of patients who were forced to seek treatment in medical centers outside the state.
Two Hospitals Receive Crucial Licences
The advisory committee, established under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA) of 1994, unanimously agreed to grant kidney transplant licences to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) and Raj Hospital. Rims is the largest government-run medical college hospital in Jharkhand, while Raj Hospital is a private facility. The committee was chaired by Additional Chief Secretary of Health, Ajoy Kumar Singh.
The department confirmed in a statement that the formal licences will be issued shortly, after which the transplant services will officially commence. This approval marks the first formal step towards establishing a robust organ transplant ecosystem within the state.
Infrastructure and Financial Support Finalised
To ensure the success of this new service, the health department is proactively working on necessary upgrades. Ajoy Kumar Singh emphasized that required infrastructure improvements are being considered to prevent any inconvenience to patients during treatment.
Furthermore, the department has finalized a special financial package under the Mukhyamantri Gambhir Bimari Yojna. This scheme is designed to make treatment for critical illnesses accessible within Jharkhand itself. Singh clarified a key policy point: patients will only be referred for treatment outside the state under this scheme if their condition is not covered under the Ayushman Bharat Mukhyamantri Abua Health Security Scheme.
Future Expansion: Liver and Heart Transplants on the Agenda
The committee's vision extends beyond kidney transplants. During the meeting, officials also discussed the potential scope for initiating liver and heart transplant procedures in other government medical colleges and private facilities across Jharkhand.
These ambitious proposals are scheduled for a detailed discussion with representatives from the medical colleges on January 15. This indicates the state's commitment to building a comprehensive, multi-organ transplant network to serve its population, reducing dependency on healthcare hubs in other parts of India.
The approval for kidney transplants in Ranchi is expected to provide immense relief, cutting down on travel costs, logistical hardships, and emotional stress for patients and their families, while significantly elevating the standard of tertiary healthcare in Jharkhand.
