Dow Organ Support Society | Advancing Kidney Transplantation at NISOTT

The Dow Organ Support Society (DOSS) works under the National Institute of Solid Organ & Tissue Transplantation (NISOTT), a branch of Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS).

NISOTT has been actively performing kidney, liver, and bone marrow transplants, primarily focusing on living donor transplantation.

A Leader in Kidney Transplantation in Pakistan

NISOTT has been at the forefront of kidney transplantation in Pakistan, with over 700 successful kidney transplants performed. This remarkable achievement has been made possible under the leadership of Dr. Rashid Bin Hamid, a highly skilled kidney transplant surgeon dedicated to saving lives and improving patient outcomes.

Now, we aim to expand into deceased organ transplantation to save more lives and bridge the gap between organ supply and demand.

Causes of Kidney Failure and the Need for Transplantation

Kidney transplantation becomes necessary when the kidneys lose their ability to function properly. Some common causes include:

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Diabetes Mellitus – the leading cause of kidney failure

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) – damages blood vessels in the kidneys Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) – a genetic disorder causing cyst formation Glomerulonephritis – inflammation of kidney filters.

Recurrent Kidney Infections or Obstructions

Without a transplant, patients face lifelong dependence on dialysis, which significantly impacts their quality of life and life expectancy.

Types of Kidney Transplants

There are two main types of kidney transplants:

Living Donor Kidney Transplant

The kidney is donated by a living person, usually a family member or close friend. Offers shorter waiting times and better compatibility. Success rates:

5-year survival rate: ~90–95%
10-year survival rate: ~70–80%

Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant

The kidney is donated by someone who has passed away and had previously consented to organ donation.

Expands the donor pool, helping to address the organ shortage.

Requires patients to be on a waiting list until a suitable match is found. Success rates:

5-year survival rate: ~85–90%
10-year survival rate: ~60–70%

The Importance of Kidney Transplantation

Saves Lives – Kidney transplants provide a lifesaving treatment for kidney failure.
Improves Quality of Life – Transplant recipients no longer rely on dialysis, allowing them to return to a normal lifestyle.
Reduces Organ Shortages – Promoting deceased organ donation can help shorten waiting lists.
Encourages Awareness and Consent – Public awareness and voluntary registration are essential to increasing donation rates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A living donor transplant involves receiving a kidney from a healthy living person, usually a family member or close friend. A deceased donor transplant involves receiving a kidney from someone who has passed away and had consented to donate their organs.

Living donors should be healthy adults between the ages of 18 to 65 with a compatible blood type. Deceased donors are individuals who registered as organ donors before their passing or whose families consent to donation.

Under the expertise of Dr. Rashid Bin Hamid and the NISOTT team, success rates are comparable to international standards, with a 90–95% survival rate after 5 years for living donor transplants.

Yes. Living kidney donation is generally safe. Donors undergo thorough medical evaluations to ensure they are fit to donate. A donor can live a normal life with one kidney.

You can register through NISOTT or by contacting the Dow Organ Support Society. Public awareness and voluntary registration are crucial for increasing kidney donation rates.