The kidney transplant procedure follows international standards, but is delivered with a personalised, step-by-step approach here at NMC. The patient is admitted to the hospital once a suitable donor, either living or deceased, is confirmed. The operation itself typically takes two to four hours. The new kidney is placed in the lower abdomen, usually on the left or right side, and its blood vessels are connected to the patient's own iliac artery and vein. The ureter, which is the tube that carries urine, is attached to the bladder. The patient's own failed kidneys are usually left in place.
The recovery, after surgery, begins in a dedicated transplant unit where nurses check urine output, blood pressure and signs of bleeding or infection every few hours. To prevent the body from rejecting the new organ, immunosuppressant medications are started immediately.
The real long-term work begins with post-kidney transplant care. Patients attend clinics twice a week for blood tests and medication adjustments, as the first three months are the highest risk period for rejection. Our team teaches each patient at home how to monitor their own temperature, blood pressure and urine output. Dietary advice is tailored. This consists of plenty of fluids, reduced salt and careful attention to food safety to avoid infections. We also manage late complications. This includes high blood pressure, new-onset diabetes after transplant and the slow changes in kidney function that can happen years later.
For those who need to understand the kidney transplant cost in Dubai before any procedure, NMC's patient affairs team provides a clear, written breakdown. This includes details on the surgery itself, hospital stay, medications and follow-up visits.
