ROTTO (North) PGIMER Facilitates First Live Kidney Transplant at Command Hospital, Panchkula – A Major Milestone in Strengthening Transplant Capabilities
In a historic feat facilitated by ROTTO (North), the Command Hospital in Chandimandir, Panchkula, performed its inaugural live kidney transplant on July 15, 2025, signaling its official evolution from a well-known Non-Transplant Organ Retrieval Centre (NTORC) to an emerging Transplant Centre.
Under the guidance, leadership, and coordination of ROTTO (North) PGIMER, the Command Hospital reached this important milestone shortly after receiving its license to conduct live kidney transplants earlier in the year. The hospital has shown impressive readiness and commitment. It excelled previously as a Retrieval Centre. “The National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) recognized it as the Best NTORC in 2024
Command Hospital Achieves Live Donor Kidney Transplant
The transplant with a live donor involved a 50-year-old female named Ms. Asha, the wife of the late Karan Singh, who donated a kidney to 28-year-old Ms. Jyoti Bala. Both the donor and recipient underwent successful surgery at the Command Hospital, Chandimandir, further establishing the hospital’s capabilities and infrastructure for transplant services.
In expressing his gratitude for the achievement, Dr. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent at PGIMER and Nodal Officer for ROTTO (North), remarked: “This is a significant moment for both ROTTO North and Command Hospital. The center shifted from being solely a retrieval center to performing transplants. This change highlights the unwavering dedication of the entire medical team. It also shows the collaborative efforts of all team members.“We proudly witness our team broadening transplant services.”. The efforts extend across both military and civilian sectors. “They accomplished this with meticulousness and care.”
Dr. (Col) Anurag Garg, Transplant Coordinator and Palliative Physician at Command Hospital Chandimandir, shared his appreciation and hopeful outlook: “The earlier acquisition of our license this year, culminating in our first successful live kidney transplant, has been a journey of both hurdles and victories. We are incredibly thankful for the ongoing support from ROTTO North and are eager to further our role in the national organ donation and transplantation movement.”
With this inaugural successful transplant, Command Hospital Chandimandir has become part of the expanding network of centers in the northern region that are actively enhancing the transplantation framework. This advancement will significantly improve access and care for individuals in need of organ transplants, especially those from the defense services.
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