Veteran Indian actor Satish Shah has undergone a kidney transplant following a history of dialysis and a heart procedure. Medical experts affirm that such transplants are safe when performed at reputable centers, boasting a success rate of around 98 percent. The procedure raises broader questions about kidney disease treatment in India.
Reports indicate that Satish Shah, known for his roles in films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, recently had a kidney transplant. Prior to this, he had been on dialysis and underwent a heart procedure, highlighting ongoing health challenges for the actor.
Dr. Debabrata Mukherjee, senior director of nephrology and renal care at Medanta, Gurugram, addressed concerns about the safety of kidney transplants, especially for patients with comorbidities like obesity and heart disease. 'The fitness of both the donor and patient needs to be within parameters. That is the uppermost. Then a transplant, done at a good centre with experienced hands, has a success rate of about 98 per cent,' he stated. He noted that Shah's conditions, including obesity and heart history, could impact outcomes, as kidney, liver, and heart functions are interconnected, exacerbated by factors like diabetes and hypertension.
Risks include post-operative complications such as blood clots leading to embolism or strokes, irregular heartbeats from high-dose steroids to prevent rejection, and infections. Dr. Mukherjee emphasized the delicate balance of immunosuppressant drugs to avoid rejection while minimizing side effects like hair loss or infections. He warned that non-compliance, such as skipping medications, can lead to failure.
For recovery, patients must follow strict hygiene, avoid raw foods to prevent infections, and adhere to lifelong protocols. Exercise should be cautious in the first six months but can resume normally afterward; transplant recipients even participate in games like cycling and swimming.
In India, around 100,000 new dialysis cases emerge annually, but only about 10,000 receive transplants. Dr. Mukherjee highlighted the need for more organ donations from road accidents and brain deaths, amid challenges like late parenthood limiting family donors.
To illustrate success, Dr. Mukherjee shared the story of two early-30s patients with chronic nephritis who met during recovery, married, faced COVID-19, and now have a healthy child. Both remain diligent with follow-ups, exercise, and medication.
Meanwhile, a separate opinion piece by Naseeruddin Shah reflects on their long friendship and Shah's career, though it portrays a somber tone suggesting personal loss; however, medical reports confirm the actor's transplant and ongoing recovery.