Swaraj May Have Kidney Transplant Next Week, Still At Work

External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has been going through health issues of late. Swaraj is likely to have a kidney transplant next week. Hospital sources have mentioned that her pre-transplant procedure is done, as reported by TOI.

Swaraj seems to be recovering and her health is allowing her to go through the “life-saving” treatment. “Several people have come forward to donate their kidney. However, chances are that we'll use the one that has been offered by a relative," a doctor who wanted to remain anonymous told TOI.

A kidney transplant procedure requires a healthy person to donate their kidney on the condition that their other kidney is fully functional. It also requires both the receiver and the giver to go through several tests to avoid co-morbidity and kidney failure after the transplant. This is done through an HLA-matching test, which excludes the possibility of rejection of kidney by the body after the transplant.

Swaraj has been going to AIIMS for various other health reasons like diabetes and hormonal changes for decades now. But she started going for dialysis since her kidney failure news came from the doctors.

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Last month, Swaraj had tweeted about her health, saying, “I am undergoing tests for a kidney transplant. Lord Krishna will bless (sic).”

I am in AIIMS because of kidney failure. Presently, I am on dialysis. I am undergoing tests for a Kidney transplant. Lord Krishna will bless

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 16, 2016

Knowledge of Sushma's kidney failure prompted many to offer their kidney to the cabinet minister. Sushma has shown her gratitude for the support she got after her declaring her illness publicly.

Some friends have also offered their kidneys for my transplant. I have no words to express my deep sense of gratitude towards them.

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 17, 2016

However, her illness has not stopped Swaraj from working. While in the hospital, the minister promptly responded to a tweet by an AIIMS scholar, Geeta Singh, who wanted to go to Australia and was not able to manage the visa.

Here's the tweet @SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/vTgatS2I4C

— Dr. Jal Kukdi (@Jal_Kukdi) December 4, 2016

Geeta - I am also in AIIMS. Pl come and see me here. I will do my best to help you. https://t.co/lH1RYlclDy

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 4, 2016

https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/805655861280411648

In another instance, a surgeon, Dr Muffi Lakdawala had tweeted Swaraj with the picture of a 500kg girl who had requested the surgeon to save her but whose medical visa was refused. Swaraj thanked the surgeon for bringing this to her notice.

Thanks for bringing this to my notice. We will definitely help her. pic.twitter.com/l6RfC5bWE4 https://t.co/fWBYilbPIY

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 6, 2016

Picture credit- Ibandhu