A major milestone has been reported in Punjab’s public healthcare sector. On September 10, 2026, doctors at Government Medical College (GMC), Patiala, performed what the article describes as the institution’s first successful kidney transplant. The procedure marks a potential step forward in the availability of specialised treatment at government hospitals.
Treatment Provided Free Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana
The patient’s entire treatment including the kidney transplant was carried out under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY). Due to the scheme the patient’s family did not have to pay anything from their own pocket for the treatment. Kidney transplant procedures can be very expensive in private hospitals, with the cost generally ranging between ₹8 lakh and ₹12 lakh.
PGIMER Chandigarh Played an Important Role
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, also played an important role in making the kidney transplant at GMC Patiala successful. The PGIMER team provided guidance, training and technical assistance to doctors at GMC Patiala regarding kidney transplantation. The team was also present during the surgery and provided necessary surgical supervision.The Punjab government expressed special gratitude to the officials and experts of PGIMER Chandigarh for their support.
Important Step for Government Healthcare Services
The first successful kidney transplant at GMC Patiala is being viewed as an important step for Punjab’s public healthcare system. It marks a new beginning towards providing complex and expensive medical treatments through government hospitals, particularly for patients who may otherwise struggle to afford such procedures.
The 37-year-old patient, a resident of Namol in Sangrur district, was suffering from kidney failure. He had membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and had been undergoing regular haemodialysis three times a week since December 2025. After examination and medical evaluation, his 29-year-old wife volunteered to donate a kidney.
The transplant team was led by Prof. Sarabpreet Singh, who also included Prof. HBS Sandhu and Dr. Supran Sharma. The nephrology team was led by Dr. Thakurveer Kohli and the anesthesia team was led by Dr. Tanveer Kundra. Dr. RPS Sibia, Director-Principal and Head of the Department of Medicine was also part of the team.