Kidney transplant waiting list hits 10-year record

SINGAPORE – With the waiting list for deceased donor kidney transplants in Singapore hitting a high in 10 years and the waiting time for an available organ averaging nine years, more living transplants are encouraged to ease the wait for patients.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) said on Oct 15 that it is working with partners such as hospitals to help patients with kidney failure learn about transplant earlier.

If patients decide with their doctors that this option is suitable for them, they can source for a living donor, and for some, they can even complete the transplant before having to start on dialysis, said A. Vathsala, the director of the National University Hospital’s (NUH) National University Centre for Organ Transplantation.

“This type of transplant, called pre-emptive transplant, is associated with higher success rates than those done after starting dialysis, and can allow the transplant to be planned with the patient and donor,” Vathsala added.

In June 2026, there were 433 patients on the kidney transplant waiting list – an increase of more than 56% from 2016.

Terence Kee, director of Singapore General Hospital’s (SGH) kidney transplantation programme, said living donor transplant is an option which “can offer better survival and quality of life, without the long wait for a deceased donor kidney”.

Living donors are usually blood-related family members, but can also be non-blood-related.

The first living donor kidney transplant was performed in Singapore in 1976 at SGH.

At an event on Oct 15 commemorating the 50th anniversary of that milestone, NKF said it is working with the National Organ Transplant Unit (NOTU), NUH and SGH to have around 100 “transplant champions” help medically suitable patients understand living donor kidney transplant as one of their treatment options.

The champions – including nurses, social workers, and kidney donors and recipients – aim to help address the patients’ initial questions and concerns, as well as connect interested patients and families with hospital transplant teams.

From 2016 to 2025, an average of about 81 kidney transplants was done each year.

Of these, about 35 kidneys were transplanted from deceased donors, and 46 from living donors each year.

‘Who am I to deserve this kidney?’

Tan Xin Yi, 31, who suffered from kidney failure in 2021 due to an autoimmune condition, received a kidney from Kelly Chua, her close friend since they were students at Ngee Ann Secondary School.

Tan said that after her mother passed away from cancer in December 2020, her own health deteriorated significantly.

She had initially attributed her symptoms such as breathlessness, swelling in her face, body and both legs, and lethargy, to the grief and stress from her first job.

But when she had difficulty walking even a short distance between two HDB blocks, coupled with other symptoms, a general practitioner advised her to seek emergency care.

In February 2021, about a week after she was admitted to hospital, she was confirmed to have kidney failure.

The cause was the autoimmune condition known as antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

Kidney dialysis served Tan well for a few years. But she eventually suffered from various complications such as recurrent infections and two bouts of pneumonia, one of which led to a 15-day hospitalisation.

When a transplant for Tan was discussed, her younger sister and three friends who were willing to donate were found to be unsuitable donors. Her father was unable to donate as he had existing health conditions.

On Aug 28, 2025, Chua donated her left kidney to Tan. Chua’s husband had some concerns, but agreed for her to donate when Tan’s medical problems mounted.

Chua, who works as an accountant and has no plans for children, said that the transplant has not affected her long-term health. All she needs to do now is go for regular checks and to watch her diet, which she said is what everyone should do anyway.

Tan also had a smooth recovery, and is now on medications and supplements for life.

She is grateful to Chua for the donation, which has significantly improved her quality of life.

One recurring thought she used to have when she was mulling over a transplant is now far behind her: “Who am I to deserve this kidney?”

Review of funding support for donors and recipients

Separately, NKF is currently reviewing its Kidney Live Donor Support Fund, which supports 163 beneficiaries currently, with the aim of lightening the financial burden for donors and recipients.

The fund currently covers pre-transplant screening and evaluation costs, as well as the cost of annual health screenings and medical follow-ups ordered by transplant physicians in the public hospitals, among other expenses.

NKF reiterated that the support through the fund is intended to help defray costs, and does not constitute a payment or reward for donating a kidney.

Transport costs may also be covered in the future, as NKF’s survey showed that both donors and recipients have to make frequent trips to the hospital for pre-transplant assessments, medical consultations and post-transplant follow-up care.

NKF chairman Ang Hao Yao said, “A potential donor’s decision must remain entirely voluntary, and choosing not to donate will not affect the care provided to the patient.”

MP Hamid Razak’s sister received kidney from mother

At the Oct 15 NKF event, MP for West Coast-Jurong West GRC Hamid Razak revealed that his younger sister, Badrun Nisa, had received a kidney from their mother in 2022.

Nisa shared with the audience that she started suffering symptoms in May 2021 when she was 34 years old, including weight loss, breathlessness and fatigue.

She was eventually diagnosed with kidney failure, though her doctors could not identify the cause or when the failure started.

Although she started on dialysis, transplant was the longer-term option.

After a few family members and a close friend were tested for suitability to donate a kidney to her, her mother turned out to be the most ideal candidate.

Nisa had misgivings at first – she was worried about the age of her mother, then 58 years old. “I didn’t want my chance at better health to come at the expense of hers”, said Nisa.

After much consultation and discussion, the transplant was completed in November 2022.

Hamid, who is an orthopaedic surgeon, said: “Seeing what kidney transplant has made possible for my sister is why I believe families should at least have the opportunity to understand the option, ask the difficult questions and make an informed decision together with their medical team.”