බ්‍රිතාන්‍යය ඒකපාර්ශ්විකව ගත් තීන්දුව තත්ත්වය තවත් ව්‍යාකූල කිරීමක්

 As World Kidney Day approaches, Sri Lanka takes center stage in the global effort to address kidney health and organ transplantation. Beyond the celebratory atmosphere, this day holds profound significance, drawing attention to the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Sri Lanka and the remarkable strides in renal transplant procedures. This article explores the multifaceted approach in Sri Lanka, covering the prevalence of CKD, organ procurement methods, and the meticulous 

World Kidney Day serves as an annual reminder of the critical importance of kidney health globally. It provides a platform to raise awareness about the prevalence of kidney diseases, their prevention, and the transformative impact of organ transplantation. In Sri Lanka, this day takes on added significance as the nation addresses the challenges posed by a rising tide of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Prevalence of CKD in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka grapples with a silent epidemic—Chronic Kidney Disease. Recent statistics underscore the urgency of addressing this health crisis, with a significant portion of the population affected. Lifestyle factors, genetics, and environmental influences contribute to the alarming prevalence, making World Kidney Day an opportune moment to spotlight the nation’s commitment to combatting CKD.

Organ Procurement

Sri Lanka’s approach to organ procurement embraces diversity, ensuring a comprehensive response to the growing demand for renal transplants.

Sri Lanka champions a robust live donor program, allowing individuals to donate altruistically or to a specific recipient. Stringent ethical guidelines and health assessments guarantee the safety of both donors and recipients.

The nation is actively promoting deceased donor organ procurement through governmental initiatives and public awareness campaigns. Encouraging posthumous organ donation provides a lifeline for those awaiting transplants.

Preoperative Assessments

Before the transformative journey of a renal transplant begins, a meticulous pre-operative assessment ensures the compatibility of the donor and recipient, contributing to the success and longevity of the transplant. 

Indeed, blood group compatibility, Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) matching, and crossmatching are fundamental components of renal transplant evaluations. These factors play a crucial role in ensuring the success and longevity of the transplant, minimising the risk of rejection, and optimising overall outcomes for both the donor and recipient. Let’s delve into the significance of each.

Matching the blood group between the donor and recipient is a fundamental prerequisite for a successful renal transplant. Blood group compatibility helps prevent immediate rejection reactions and ensures the harmonious integration of the transplanted kidney into the recipient’s body. The four main blood groups (A, B, AB, and O) and their respective Rh factors (positive or negative) must be carefully assessed to identify compatible donor-recipient pairs.

HLA molecules are proteins that play a key role in the immune system. Matching these antigens between the donor and recipient is essential for minimising the risk of immune rejection. The closer the HLA match, the lower the likelihood of the recipient’s immune system recognising the transplanted kidney as foreign and mounting an immune response. HLA matching is particularly crucial for long-term graft survival, and advanced testing methods are employed to assess compatibility.

Cross-matching involves testing the compatibility between the donor’s lymphocytes and the recipient’s serum to identify any potential immune reactions. This step helps predict the likelihood of hyperacute rejection, where pre-existing antibodies in the recipient can rapidly attack the transplanted kidney. A negative crossmatch is ideal, indicating a lower risk of rejection, while a positive crossmatch may warrant additional precautions or adjustments in the transplant procedure.

Matching blood groups ensures that the recipient’s immune system does not recognise the transplanted kidney as foreign, reducing the risk of rejection.

HLA matching minimises the chance of the recipient’s immune system mounting an immune response against the transplanted kidney, contributing to long-term graft survival.