A groundbreaking Cyprus–Israel paired kidney exchange has saved three patients, nephrologist Dr Elpida Toumazi revealed on Sigma TV.
How paired donation works
In paired (or cross) donation, two or more donor–recipient pairs swap kidneys when their original matches are incompatible.
“If the donor from pair A is compatible with the recipient from pair B – and vice-versa – we perform the exchange simultaneously,” Dr Toumazi explained.
Without this option, all three patients would have faced years on the waiting list for a deceased-donor kidney.
The Cyprus–Israel chain
The latest chain involved one Cypriot recipient and two Israeli patients at different hospitals.
Thanks to excellent bilateral cooperation, doctors identified the perfect cross-matches. All three transplants took place successfully.
The Cypriot patient has already been discharged and is in excellent condition.
Organ donor numbers in Cyprus remain low
Dr Toumazi noted only a few hundred Cypriots are currently registered as organ donors after death.
How to become a donor
Anyone wishing to register fills in forms available on the Ministry of Health website and sends them to the national transplant coordinator.
Click here for more information
Also read: Cyprus–Israel kidney chain saves three lives
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