First HLA lab in Nepal

A modern Human Leukocycle Antigen (HLA) lab has been established for the first time in Nepal, adding a new milestone to kidney transplantation in the country.

The lab has been set up in Pulchowk, Lalitpur on the initiatives of widely acclaimed singer Ani Chhoying Dolma, former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Kul Chandra Gautam, senior kidney transplant surgeon Dr. Pukar Shrestha, social activists Haribumsha Acharya and Madan Krishna Shrestha, among others.

Nepal is second country after India in South Asian region to initiate this service. With this service, a patient can undergo every tests required in course of kidney transplantation.

There was no such lab for the examination in Nepal though the Bir Hospital and TU Teaching hospital initiated kidney transplantation service since 2008.

Until now, samples had to be sent to India and it usually takes two weeks to get the reports.

The lab will facilitate the present live donor transplant programme and more importantly will help initiate ‘deceased donor’ transplantation in the country.

The lab was incepted on the special initiatives of singer Drolma in memory of her mother, who lost her life for not getting kidney transplantation and former UN official Gautam who got new life after transplanting kidney from his sister.

Rs. 50 million has been spent for the installation of the lab in the beginning.

President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav inaugurated the lab amid a function organised by Arogya Foundation here Friday.

The HLA lab has been a boon for the kidney patients who are in the juncture of life and death due to kidney failure. Around 3,000 patients are suffering this pain in Nepal every year.

‘‘Nepal has been further capable in the kidney treatment sector with the new service in the offing’, said Dr. Shrestha.

On the occasion, President Dr. Yadav said the political instability has caused detrimental effect in the health sector, adding the sector has witnessed significant success after 1990.