🫘 How do I donate one of my kidneys? 🫘

As a doctor, I get a lot of messages from people asking questions like, "Can I live with one kidney ?" or "How do I donate one of my kidneys?" So I thought I'd answer these questions and educate you about how to donate a kidney.

Donating a kidney is a selfless, life-saving act. Yes, you can stay healthy with just one kidney. Even after donating, many people live healthy, problem-free lives. The first successful kidney transplant in Sri Lanka was performed in 1985. Since then, more than 1,500 kidney transplants have been performed under strict medical protocols.

All transplants in Sri Lanka are carried out under the Organ Donation Act No. 48 of 1987. This ensures that kidney donation is safe, ethical, and voluntary. Legal, medical, and ethical approvals must be obtained before every transplant.

🫘 Who can donate a kidney?

People who can donate kidneys can be divided into several main categories:

• Relatives: Close family members, such as parents and siblings, are often the best match for donors.
• Non-relatives: Friends, neighbors, or even employees who want to help a family member fall into this category.
• Paired Exchange: Sometimes, a donor's kidney may not be a good match for their relative. In such cases, it is possible to exchange donors with another family to find a kidney that is a good match for everyone.
• Deceased kidneys: If someone has given their consent to donate their organs after their death while they are alive, their kidneys can also be obtained in this way.

🫘 Kidney donation process

The kidney donation process begins with tests to see if the donor is healthy enough to undergo surgery and if they can survive with one kidney. Here's what happens:

• Medical tests: Blood tests , kidney function tests, and cross-matching tests are performed.
• Counseling : This is a very important step. Counselors and doctors talk to the donor to make sure they are fully aware of this, that their mental state is good, and that no one is forcing them to do this.
• Legal Consent: In Sri Lanka, a male kidney donor must be at least 25 years old and a female kidney donor must be at least 30 years old. Written consent from the donor and their family is also required.
• Surgery : Surgery is performed using minimally invasive techniques. The risk of complications such as pain, infection, and bleeding is very low.

🫘 Can you live with one kidney?

Absolutely. Thousands of people around the world are living healthy lives with one kidney. Donors are closely monitored after surgery. They can usually return to their daily activities within a few weeks.

In the long term, there is no major risk. However, some studies have shown that it can cause things like slightly higher blood pressure or proteinuria. But if you go for regular medical checkups and look for these things, you can find solutions before problems arise.

🫘 What happens after you donate?

After surgery, regular tests are needed to see if the donor's remaining kidney is working properly. However, many people do not come for these tests due to lack of facilities or lack of money. However, these tests are very important for long-term health. As a solution to this problem, work is underway to create a national donor evaluation database in Sri Lanka. This will enable better service to donors after surgery.

🫘 Risks of becoming a contributor

Although kidney donation is generally safe, there are some risks. There are complications from the surgery, such as infection and bleeding. There may be a slight increase in the risk of developing high blood pressure in the long term, or preeclampsia in pregnant women. But these are rare. It is important for donors to maintain a healthy lifestyle and regularly check their health.

🫘 Think about mental health too

Before donating a kidney, you need to make sure you are mentally prepared for it. For this, the donor's mental state is checked. They also check whether anyone is forcing them to do this or not. Although such tests were not done in Sri Lanka before, now these tests are done with the donor's mental health in mind.

🫘 Finally

Donating a kidney is a great thing that can save a life. But you need to think carefully about all of these things before making that decision. Not only will you be helping someone else, but you are also responsible for maintaining your own health after donating. If you or someone you know is considering donating a kidney, talk to a doctor about all of these things.

For more information and to register as a kidney donor in Sri Lanka, go here: ODTF Sri Lanka

Is it possible to live with one kidney?