Renal Transplant Guidelines with Reference to COVID-19 Infection

Development of COVID-19 pandemic has affected organ transplant activity significantly. To start with, government of India had adviced stoppage of “elective” surgeries so as to cope with resources and manpower for COVID-19 patients. As majority of hospitals are having both COVID and Non-COVID patients, there is obvious fear of cross-infection. Also, transplant patients being immunocompromised, there is higher risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection along with atypical presentation and unpredicted course of the disease. Result was that across India, elective living related kidney transplant came to a halt. Cadaver renal transplant, being emergency in nature still done, though very few. With passing time, once it became clear that pandemic is not going to be controlled sooner, need has been felt to restart renal transplant activity. Keeping various issues in mind in relation to elective living related renal transplant and emergency deceased donor renal transplant, these guidelines have been framed to help transplant professionals for restarting renal transplant program again in the country, while keeping both health care workers and patient safe.