Patiala, September 16:
Punjab Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research Minister Dr. Balbir Singh today met the first kidney transplant patient of Government Rajindra Hospital and his wife, who donated her kidney, following the hospital’s first successful kidney transplant performed on September 10, 2026. He said that the life-saving kidney transplant was performed completely free of cost under the Chief Minister Health Scheme and that both the patient and his wife, after recovering well, are being discharged from the hospital and returning home.
Dr. Balbir Singh interacted with the 37-year-old patient from Romana patti, Namol, Sangrur district, and his 29-year-old wife and enquired about their well-being. Appreciating the courage and commitment of the couple, he said that the wife had set an inspiring example by donating her kidney to her husband. He said the patient had been suffering from kidney failure caused by Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (MPGN).
On the occasion, the patient and his wife thanked the Punjab Government, the Health Minister and the entire medical team of Government Rajindra Hospital for giving them a new lease of life.
The Health Minister said that people suffering from kidney diseases and other serious ailments in Punjab no longer need to raise money for better treatment, but should instead reach government hospitals in time to avail themselves of treatment. He said that the Punjab Government would bear the treatment expenses of eligible patients under the Chief Minister Health Scheme. He added that kidney transplant treatment in private hospitals costs approximately Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh.
Dr. Balbir Singh said that the commencement of kidney transplant services at Government Rajindra Hospital is a significant achievement in Punjab’s public healthcare and medical education sector. He said that a team of super-specialist doctors is providing advanced treatment facilities to patients. He said that a 300-bed Trauma Centre is being established at Rajindra Hospital, while a 50-bed Critical Care Unit is also at the final stage. He said that once operational, the facility would reduce the need to refer critically ill patients to other hospitals due to a shortage of ICU beds.
The Medical Education and Research Minister lauded the team that successfully performed the kidney transplant and congratulated the surgical team led by transplant specialist Prof. Dr. Sarbpreet Singh, urology specialists Prof. Dr. Harbhupinder Singh Sandhu and Dr. Suparn Sharma, nephrology specialist Dr. Thakurveer Kohli, anaesthesia specialist Dr. Tanveer Kundra, along with the entire medical team. He also appreciated Dr. R.P.S. Sibia, Director-Principal of the Medical College and Head of the Department of Medicine, and Dr. Vishal Chopra, Medical Superintendent of Rajindra Hospital.
Dr. Balbir Singh said, “This marks a new chapter in the history of government medical services in Punjab. The availability of an advanced and life-saving facility such as kidney transplantation at a government hospital has further strengthened access to quality healthcare for the common people.”
