Kidney failure is rapidly emerging as a significant health crisis in India, affecting an increasing number of individuals each year. To address this serious challenge, the country has made remarkable progress in kidney transplantation, performing over 10,000 transplants annually. In 2023 alone, more than 13,000 kidney transplants were conducted. India boasts approximately 600 kidney transplant centers, predominantly in the private sector, positioning itself as a leading global destination for kidney transplantation. The widespread adoption of advanced surgical techniques, including robotic and laparoscopic procedures, has significantly improved donor and recipient outcomes by reducing pain, minimizing complications, and shortening recovery periods.

In addition, deceased donor transplantation and paired kidney exchange programs have broadened access to lifesaving procedures, particularly for patients with limited donor options. Success rates remain impressively high, ranging between 95 percent and 98 percent. Furthermore, an increasing number of international patients are choosing Indian hospitals due to the combination of cost-effective care and world-class medical outcomes. Supported by affordable treatment costs, highly skilled surgeons, and cutting-edge technology, India has firmly established itself at the forefront of renal care globally. Continued investment and development in transplant infrastructure are expected to sustain and enhance India’s leadership in kidney transplant surgery throughout 2025 and beyond.

Pioneering developments in the transformative fields of urology and kidney transplantation, Dr Rajiv Kumar Sethia is a distinguished kidney transplant surgeon with an exceptional academic and professional background.

He completed his graduation and post graduation from SPMC, Bikaner and then super specialization in Urology & Kidney Transplant from St John’s Medical College, Bangalore. Then he pursued fellowship in Kidney Transplant followed by Robotic and Minimally Invasive Urology. Currently he is associated with Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad as Director & HOD in Dept of Urology, Robotics and Kidney Transplant, driven by his passion for transformative and minimally invasive surgeries. Dr Sethia has also served earlier at other premier institutions including Medanta, Max Hospital, Fortis, and Metro Hospital. With his extensive experience in kidney care and urological surgery, his primary areas of interest are kidney transplants and robotic surgery of urological cancers (prostate, kidney, adrenal, urinary bladder, testicular, and genital cancers) and laser treatment of urinary stones and prostate (HoLEP).

Dr Sethia is also highly experienced in kidney transplantation, with both cadaveric and living donor programs. His multidisciplinary treatment approach ensures specialized care for complex kidney transplants, such as donors with complex anatomy and multiple vessels, pediatric transplants, and blood group or HLA incompatible transplants, offering patients thorough and personalized care.

Empowering Lives Through Advanced Kidney Transplants

With advancements in transplant technology, Dr Sethia highlights that “kidney transplants no longer require matching blood groups, thanks to ABO-incompatible procedures. Using plasmapheresis, immune adsorption, and other immunologic methods, it is now possible to remove antibodies in recipients against the donor’s blood group, achieving outcomes comparable to blood group compatible transplants”.

Asian Hospital was also the first in Faridabad to initiate a deceased /cadaveric donor kidney transplant program in 2021. Today, it performs the highest number of such transplants in the region.

Dr Sethia emphasizes that behind every successful kidney transplant program is a seamless, multidisciplinary team effort. Close coordination between urology and nephrology helps optimize patients before surgery. The collaborative involvement of anesthesia, cardiology, and endocrine specialists ensures safe procedures and improved long-term outcomes, especially for high morbidity dialysis patients undergoing trans -plantation.

Newer Advancements in Kidney Transplantation Excellence

Through ongoing expansion of surgical techniques, Dr Sethia has witnessed major improvements in kidney transplant procedures, from open donor nephrectomies to laparoscopic and currently robotic-assisted surgeries. These newer methods increase surgical precision, minimize complications, and hasten recovery. Roboticassisted recipient surgery, in particular, benefits obese individuals and young women, by decreasing wound related complications, pain, scar size and other complications. Robotic surgery offers safer and more efficient transplant processes for both donors and recipients.

Dr Sethia and his team demonstrated exceptional leadership and clinical expertise during the COVID-19 era. Despite the suspension of elective surgeries during covid epidemic, his team decided to proceed with kidney transplants after consulting with the ethical board. They believed that post-transplant patients would be in better health compared to those on dialysis fighting COVID-19. The outcomes were positive, with transplanted patients faring better than those on dialysis. This approach, along with other successful transplants during the lockdown, was published internationally, highlighting the lifechanging impact of ethical decision-making in healthcare during epidemic.

Success in medicine is measured not just by awards but by the positive impact on patients’ lives. Dr Rajiv Kumar Sethia emphasizes that one of big achievement at their center is kidney transplant success rates as the institution leads all types of complex kidney transplant operations throughout northern India.

Dr Rajiv leads aspiring transplant surgeons toward embracing medical progress through adaptability along with technology adoption and continuous improvement for producing optimal patient outcomes.

Future Roadmap

Robotic surgery marks a significant breakthrough in kidney transplant procedures. In urological oncology, advancements in robotic techno-logies have redefined surgical care streamlining procedures such as prostate cancer, kidney cancer & urinary bladder cancer management surgery ultimately improving outcomes, shortening recovery times, and reducing the overall burden on healthcare systems. The declining pool of living donors underscores the urgency of promoting deceased organ donation. To support this shift, it’s essential to create public awareness and strengthen collaboration among healthcare providers, the media, government, and NGOs.

Looking ahead, Dr Rajiv Kumar Sethia envisions a transformative future in kidney transplantation and urological oncology, driven by increased public awareness and technological innovation.