Is Getting Dialysis the Same as Getting a Working Kidney?

No. Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for patients who are waiting for a kidney transplant. Dialysis can only cleanse and remove the blood of toxins, extra salt and fluids through a dialysis machine. Unlike a healthy working kidney, dialysis cannot replace 100% of a kidney’s functions. For instance, dialysis cannot produce an active form of vitamin D that keeps the bones strong and healthy. As such, many dialysis patients suffer from bone diseases and other complications.

Kidney transplant on the other hand, allows patients to receive a working kidney and usually, it can substitute almost fully the lost functions of the failed kidneys. It is the most optimal solution to kidney failure enabling patient to lead a normal life.



How does a kidney transplant work?
During the procedure, the donated kidney is connected to the recipient’s blood vessels and bladder. The new kidney will be placed in the lower part of the abdomen. The recipient’s original kidneys are usually not removed. That’s why kidney transplant patients have 3 kidneys in their bodies!

Is it better to have a transplant early?
Yes. Transplants before starting dialysis or within the first 2 years of dialysis are the most successful and can prevent dialysis-related health problems.

What is live kidney donation?
There are two types of kidney transplants:

The patient can receive a kidney from a recently deceased person	The patient may receive a compatible kidney from a family member, a spouse or a close friend

Who can be a living donor?
A living donor is a volunteer who is/has

1	physically healthy
2	does not have kidney disease
3	a blood type that matches the recipient

Donors do not have to be same race, age, or gender as the recipient.

Is there a difference in survival rates between live kidney and cadaveric transplants?
Yes. Not only do living donor organs function better, they also last longer. It was found that after 5 years after a transplant, the patient survival rate is 99.1% compared to 91.5% of cadaveric donations.
(Source: SGH website, Singapore Health, May/June 2013)

What is recovery like after donation and how long does it take?
The average hospital stay for donors is 2-4 days.
After being discharged from the hospital, donors may rest at home for a week as their body starts to recuperate.
Over time, most donors can drive and return to their normal lives in 4-6 weeks.

Will a living donor have health problems after donating?
Research has shown that most living donors remain just as healthy after donation as people who have not donated.
For most donors, the remaining kidney works fine for the rest of their lives and they are not more likely to get kidney disease after donating.

What is the cost of a transplant surgery? Is there any form of financial assistance if I cannot afford the cost?
Kidney transplant recipients and donors can generally draw on MediShield Life and Medisave for hospital bills and selected outpatient treatments at Restructured Hospitals (RHs). Needy Singaporeans can seek further assistance from Medifund.
In addition, the NKF’s “Kidney Live Donor Support Fund” provides financial assistance to needy living kidney donors for kidney transplant-related medical welfare and insurance. Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who are referred by RHs and meet the NKF means test criteria can apply for this Fund.