SIX Bahrainis with kidney problems have suffered serious complications after undergoing transplant surgeries this year, sparking a warning for people to avoid treatment abroad.

Health officials say the overseas transplant industry poses a threat to the lives of patients as it has become "commercialised" with increasing numbers of illegal organs being traded.

It follows the death of a 50-year-old Bahraini man last month after receiving treatment for renal failure abroad.

"We have found six patients who underwent kidney transplant abroad and returned with complications," said Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) consultant vascular and renal transplant surgeon Dr Sadiq Abdulla.

"Illegal organ trade increases the cost of kidney transplant from BD25,000 to BD40,000.

"We strongly urge patients to stop travelling abroad immediately for kidney transplant as in Bahrain there are qualified transplant teams equipped with all the facilities to conduct surgeries."

According to officials, several Bahrainis travel to the Philippines, Egypt and other countries for organ transplants, with many becoming infected after the operations as the facilities are not up to international standards.

Some patients would also return to Bahrain after treatment with inaccurate medical records, said Dr Abdulla in a statement yesterday.

"We have donors available and all the facilities to conduct successful transplant in Bahrain," he added.

"It is dangerous that these patients purchase organs and end up with complications, including severe infections."

According to the latest figures, there are an estimated 500 patients suffering from renal failure in Bahrain and the SMC's Yusuf Khalil Almoayyed Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Centre is capable of conducting 30 surgeries annually.

The centre plans to conduct 18 transplants this year following two successful surgeries last week for Bahraini patients, who are said to be in good condition.

In the first case, Hassan Suleiman donated a kidney to his brother Ahmed, 39, who had been undergoing dialysis since 2007, while Zainab Maki, 38, donated the organ to her brother Salman.

Three other surgeries will be performed by SMC doctors in the coming weeks, added Dr Abdulla.

The GDN reported last year that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia agreed to promote organ transplants and planned to activate a GCC programme, involving particularly clinically brain dead patients.

Under the process, Bahrainis and hospitals would be urged to report cases of clinically brain dead patients and prepare relatives to ensure early donation.

Patients suffering from renal failure are referred to SMC and BDF Hospital, which both provide free treatment for Bahrainis.

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