A significant achievement has been recorded in Punjab’s government healthcare sector. For the first time, a successful kidney transplant has been performed at Government Medical College (GMC), Patiala. With this, GMC Patiala has become the first government medical college in Punjab to successfully perform a kidney transplant. The transplant was carried out on September 10, 2026. A team of specialist doctors successfully completed the complex procedure, and the patient underwent a successful kidney transplant.
Treatment Provided Free of Cost Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana
Punjab Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research Minister Dr. Balbir Singh shared the information during a press conference held at Punjab Bhawan in Chandigarh. He said that the entire cost of the patient’s treatment, including the kidney transplant, was covered under theMukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY). As a result, the patient’s family did not have to bear any out-of-pocket expenses for the treatment.
Private Hospitals May Charge Lakhs of Rupees
According to the Health Minister, kidney transplant procedures can be highly expensive in private hospitals. Such treatment generally costs around ₹8 lakh to ₹12 lakh. The availability of this facility free of cost at a government medical college under the scheme could provide significant relief to economically weaker families.
PGIMER Chandigarh Played a Key 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. A team of specialists from PGIMER provided guidance, training and technical support to doctors at GMC Patiala regarding kidney transplantation. In addition, the experts remained present during the surgery and provided the necessary surgical supervision.
Minister Expresses Gratitude to PGIMER Experts
Dr. Balbir Singh expressed his special gratitude to the officials and specialists of PGIMER Chandigarh for their support. He thanked PGIMER Director Prof. Vivek Lal, Prof. Ashish Sharma, Head of Renal Transplant Surgery and ROTO-North, and experts from the Department of Immunopathology at PGIMER Chandigarh.
Important Step for Government Healthcare Services
The first successful kidney transplant at GMC Patiala is being regarded as an important development in Punjab’s government healthcare system. It marks a new beginning in providing complex and expensive medical treatments through government hospitals and expanding access to advanced healthcare services for patients.