NIMS Reaches 2,000 Kidney Transplants, Redefining Public Healthcare in India

Hyderabad's Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) has achieved a significant milestone by performing 2,000 kidney transplant surgeries, solidifying its position among India's premier government healthcare facilities specializing in organ transplantation.

The achievement marks a remarkable trajectory for the institution, which performed its inaugural kidney transplant procedure in 1989. Announcing the landmark at a press briefing on Friday, NIMS Director Dr. Beerappa attributed the success to seamless collaboration between the Urology and Nephrology departments alongside their supporting clinical teams.

The director extended his gratitude to Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha for their continued backing of advanced medical services at NIMS, particularly those benefiting economically disadvantaged populations.

Transforming Access to Life-Saving Treatment

The significance of this milestone extends beyond numbers. NIMS has functioned as a crucial resource for economically vulnerable and middle-income patients battling end-stage renal disease. Data from the institute reveals that approximately 95 per cent of all 2,000 transplant recipients underwent procedures entirely free of charge through the Aarogyasri scheme and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Adding to this support, the Telangana administration covers the cost of immunosuppressive medications required throughout patients' post-transplant lives via Aarogyasri, substantially alleviating the substantial financial strain typically accompanying organ transplantation.

Dr. Beerappa commended the Urology department for establishing one of India's public sector's most accomplished transplant initiatives. He highlighted the department's proficiency in managing intricate surgical cases, ranging from repeat transplantations and paediatric procedures to operations involving complex renal vessel anatomy.

Technological Advancement in Government Healthcare

The institute has also pioneered South India's first robotic-assisted kidney transplant within a government hospital setting, underscoring the technological progress of Telangana's public health infrastructure.

Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha acknowledged the achievement as evidence of Telangana's capacity to deliver internationally competitive medical care through its government hospital network. He reaffirmed the state's commitment to broadening transplantation services across public medical facilities, ensuring that advanced, life-preserving treatments remain accessible to economically weaker sections without cost barriers.

Expanding the Transplant Ecosystem

The minister referenced the recent launch of a sophisticated Organ Transplant Centre at Gandhi Hospital, equipped with six modular operation theatres and contemporary medical infrastructure. The government is simultaneously establishing an Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence at TIMS Hospital in Sanathnagar and planning the creation of organ retrieval centres throughout Telangana to strengthen the broader transplant network and enhance access to specialized services within the public healthcare framework.

Growth Trajectory Over Decades

NIMS's journey reflects steady institutional development. Between 1989 and June 2017, the institute completed 1,000 procedures. The subsequent years witnessed accelerating activity: 58 transplants from July to December 2017, 111 in 2018, and 103 in 2019. Following a dip to 26 procedures in 2020, the numbers rebounded to 103 in 2021, 93 in 2022, and 137 in 2023. The institute performed 134 transplants in 2024, 163 in 2025, and 72 through May 2026, bringing the cumulative total to 2,000.