UTH ADULT HOSPITAL’S KIDNEY TRANSPLANT PROGRAMME HITS 11 SUCCESSFUL SURGERIES IN 2025
By Lydia Makina
Zambia – The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Adult Hospital has achieved a significant milestone after successfully completing three kidney transplants in just three days, from 19th to 21st November 2025, bringing the total number of kidney transplants performed this year to 11.
The three-day kidney transplant camp, conducted in partnership with the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Global Initiative, highlighted the hospital’s expanding capacity to perform complex, life saving surgeries locally. This collaboration is anchored on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry of Health and the ACS, a partnership that is now producing remarkable results.
Speaking on the significance of this progress, Dr. Charles Mbewe, Senior Medical Superintendent for UTH Adult Hospital, said the achievement reflects the hospital’s commitment to advancing specialized medical care in Zambia.
“Through strengthened partnerships and investment in local capacity, we are moving toward a future where patients can access world class transplant services without leaving the country. The growing expertise of our transplant team is a testament to what our health system can achieve,” Dr Mbewe said.
Dr. Mbewe thanked both the visiting ACS team and the dedicated local surgeons for successfully conducting the operations. He expressed confidence that the ongoing skills transfer will soon culminate in a fully established local team of kidney transplant surgeons capable of independently delivering these life-saving procedures.
Providing an update on the programme, Dr. Aggrey Mweemba, National Coordinator for Nephrology Services, said UTH Adult Hospital is well on course to meet its annual target.
“We’ve performed eight kidney transplants this year, and we have now completed three more, bringing the total to 11. Our target for 2025 is 15 kidney transplants, and with additional procedures planned before the end of this month, we are firmly on track to achieve this goal,” Dr Mweemba said.
The transplant team, led by Dr. Victor Mapulanga, Surgical Lead of Kidney Transplant and Academic Head of the Department of Surgery at UTH Adult Hospital, included Dr. Bassem Wardie, Dr. Micheal Silumbe, and Dr. Emmanuel Liche.
Dr. Mapulanga noted that all recipients are recovering well and emphasized that by the end of 2026, UTH Adult Hospital is expected to conduct kidney transplant surgeries independently marking a major step toward national self-sufficiency in advanced surgical care.
Visiting ACS transplant surgeon Dr. Amy Lu commended UTH Adult Hospital for its progress, stating that Zambian doctors can do it on their own and will be able to do it without help by next year.
UTH Adult Hospital remains committed to delivering world class transplant services, strengthening local expertise, and giving patients renewed hope for healthier, longer lives.
