Kidney transplant-related medical tourism in patients with end-stage renal disease: A report from a renal center in a developing nation

Abstract

Background: Kidney transplant-related medical tourism is still prevalent in developing countries for patients with end stage renal disease. Objectives: We set out to review our single centre experience with kidney transplant-related medical tourism. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the demographic and clinical characteristics of our endstage renal disease patients who opted for kidney transplant over an 11 year period. Endpoint was kidney transplantation. Data was analysed with SPSS Statistical software Version 20. Results: A total of 27 patients were referred for kidney transplant evaluation, out of which 12(44.4%) were transplanted. All the 15 patients who were not transplanted died within one year of returning to our centre. The finding of co-morbidity during pre-transplant evaluation and lack of a suitable donor were the major reasons for our patients returning without a transplant. Of those who were transplanted, 5(41.7%) patients died from various complications. Conclusion: Kidney transplant-related medical tourism is still prevalent in Nigeria. Comorbidity and lack of suitable donor remain important impediments to kidney transplantation even when finance is available. Local Kidney transplant needs to be encouraged in Nigeria.