UTH Declares First Pediatric Kidney Transplant a Success
By White Luhanga
The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) has described the condition of the 14-year-old boy and his father as stable, following a successful kidney transplant.
National Coordinator for Nephrology, Aggrey Mweemba, says this is the first-ever pediatric kidney transplant to be conducted, and that the two are still being observed at the hospital.
Speaking at a media briefing today, Dr. Mweemba disclosed that the hospital, in collaboration with the American College of Surgeons, has conducted five kidney transplants in 2025.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Surgical Director of Kidney Transplant, Hans Albin Gritsch, who is in Zambia sponsored by the American College of Surgeons to help with kidney transplants, called for teamwork.
Consultant Urologist, Dr. Victor Mapulanga, says the hospital has five kidney transplant surgeons who were recently identified to conduct kidney transplants.
Dr. Mapulanga revealed that over 500 people have kidney failure and are on kidney dialysis.
He says the hospital is targeting to do more than 15 kidney transplants this year.
UTH Consultant Anesthesiologist, Dr. Christopher Chanda, says the hospital is planning to train more doctors in kidney transplants.
