3.5 thousand people are waiting for kidney transplantation

A new addition to the compulsory health insurance services will offer medical transplants for liver, kidney, and bone marrow or stem cells, according to the state agency for Compulsory Health Insurance. The insurance package will cover 100 annual liver transplants, 150 annual kidney transplants, and 20 annual bone marrow or stem cell transplants.

In the realm of medical transplantation, the world currently witnesses operations involving the cornea, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, small intestine, lower and upper extremities, face, and uterus. In Azerbaijan, corneal, bone marrow, kidney, and liver transplantation procedures are already being carried out, with plans to include heart transplants in the near future.

The Republic of Azerbaijan passed the law on transplantation of human organs or tissues as early as 1999. In 2022, the law on donation and transplantation of human organs and tissues came into effect, and the Coordination Center for Organ Donation and Transplantation was established by a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers in August of the same year.

The state agency for compulsory health insurance has proposed adding liver, kidney, and bone marrow or stem cell transplants to the services package for 2023 in a limited capacity. Additionally, proposals were put forward to enhance the number of operations in cardiovascular surgery, ophthalmology, traumatology, and removal of some benign tumors.

However, Dr. Vasif Ismail, a medical philosophy expert, in an interview with Radio Azadlig  raised concerns about the limitations set for organ transplants. With approximately 3,500 individuals waiting for kidney transplants, he noted that the allocated limit may not be sufficient to cover the demand, especially considering new patients diagnosed with chronic kidney and liver diseases each year. Dr. Ismail stressed the need to increase the limit to accommodate these patients, as their financial situation often prevents them from paying for transplants on their own.

The law on compulsory health insurance was established in Azerbaijan 24 years ago, and the State Agency for Health Insurance was created under the Cabinet of Ministers by a presidential order in December 2007. In February 2016, President Aliyev approved the regulations of this agency, shaping the healthcare landscape further.