Uncle Saves a Life Donates his Kidney
Hyderabad, Dec 08th: Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU) successfully performed a kidney transplant on a 25-year-young patient, with the organ donated by his paternal uncle, highlighting the power of living related donations in advancing nephrology care. This procedure underscores AINU’s expertise in urology and nephrology, where family donors often achieve high success rates due to genetic compatibility.
A young man suffering from kidney failure needed a transplant — but his parents, battling their own health issues, were unfit to donate. In this critical moment, his paternal uncle stepped forward. Deeply bonded with the boy since childhood and unable to watch him suffer, he volunteered to donate his kidney. With the family’s consent, the transplant was performed successfully, giving the 25-year-old a new lease on life.
The young man, a native of the Konaseema region, completed his B.Tech and is working as a software engineer in Hyderabad. Nearly two years ago, he began experiencing severe headaches and frequent vomiting. Blood tests revealed dangerously high serum creatinine levels. Further evaluation confirmed that he was suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). He began consulting doctors at the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU), one of the leading hospitals in the city. Consultant Nephrologist Dr. Srikant, who treated him and performed the transplant, shared the details.
“Such severe kidney problems at this age — especially in someone with no bad habits — are rare,” said Dr. Srikanth Gundlapalli, Senior Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician. “In some cases, autoimmune issues can lead to chronic kidney disease. Despite prolonged treatment, it became clear that a kidney transplant was the only solution. However, his parents were not suitable donors. The mother suffered a stroke in the past and also has hypertension, while the father underwent bypass surgery and high blood pressure as well. Both were medically unfit to donate.”
He continued, “Fortunately, his paternal uncle volunteered. With all medical checks and government regulations satisfied, we were able to proceed with the transplant. The donor gone through laproscopic surgery for donation. People must understand that donors need not be only immediate blood relatives — close relatives like uncles and aunts can also donate if conditions are met. This awareness can help save many lives.”
Sharing his journey, the young man said: “I completed my B.Tech from a reputed university in Chennai and have been working in Hyderabad. I never had any health problems or bad habits. From December 2023, I started getting headaches and vomiting occasionally. Tests showed my creatinine was at 2, and further evaluation confirmed CKD. After months of treatment, doctors advised a kidney transplant.”
He added, “There is no history of kidney issues in my family. But due to my parents’ health conditions, they could not donate. I grew up spending a lot of time at my uncle’s house — he practically raised me. Seeing my condition, he immediately offered to donate his kidney. My aunt and cousins also supported the decision wholeheartedly. The surgery went smoothly. My uncle has fully recovered and resumed his routine, and I am also doing well now.”