Mongolia is preparing to perform its 400th kidney transplant surgery, marking a significant achievement in the nation’s steadily advancing medical capabilities since its first successful procedure in 2006.
The country began laying the groundwork for kidney transplants as early as 1996, investing nearly a decade in upgrading hospital equipment, training personnel, and building laboratory capacity. Since 2006, kidney transplants have been regularly and successfully performed, gradually increasing in frequency as medical infrastructure has improved.
Between 2008 and 2018, two patients received kidney transplants annually. The numbers have steadily risen in recent years, with 11 transplants in 2019, followed by 6 in 2020, 8 in 2021, 4 in both 2022 and 2023, and 10 transplants completed so far in 2024. Most transplants involved organs from donors who had been declared brain-dead.
Currently, 318 patients who underwent transplants within Mongolia and 184 who had surgery abroad continue to receive follow-up care and free medication. As the need for kidney transplants grows, the First Central Hospital of Mongolia has announced plans to perform 60 kidney transplants this year.
Among the roughly 400 transplant recipients, 57 received organs from brain-dead donors. Despite these achievements, around 700 patients remain on the national transplant waiting list, underscoring the urgent need to raise awareness about organ donation.
As of 2024, the country’s kidney replacement therapy system is under increasing pressure. A total of 2,988 patients are currently undergoing hemodialysis, while 262 receive dialysis through other means. The majority of dialysis patients are between 45 and 64 years old, though the numbers also include 49 children and 169 elderly patients over 75.
Worryingly, 607 new cases of end-stage kidney failure were reported within the past year alone, highlighting the increasing burden of chronic kidney disease. During the same period, 167 patients with kidney failure passed away, while 50 patients successfully underwent kidney transplants, freeing them from lifelong dialysis.
The National Kidney Transplant Team, based at the First Central Hospital of Mongolia, currently operates with only three beds and is able to perform up to six transplant surgeries per month. As patient demand continues to outpace capacity, the medical community is calling for increased investment in infrastructure, public awareness on organ donation, and expanded healthcare access.
