Gleneagles Health City Chennai Launches First of Its Kind Uterine Transplant Program in India

Chennai, July 2024: Gleneagles Health City Chennai has launched a first of its kind, groundbreaking uterine transplant program in India, marking a significant milestone in the Indian healthcare domain. Spearheaded by Dr Padmapriya Vivek, Director, Uterine Transplant, Department of Robotic Gynaecology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fertility Medicine, Gleneagles Health City and Dr Mats Brannstrom, a pioneer with over 50 successful uterine transplants worldwide to his credit. This initiative aims to provide renewed hope to women distressed with reproductive health challenges. Led by a multidisciplinary team of expert doctors, the uterine transplant program as a part of the Female Tract Disorder Centre offers a lifeline to women who have lost all hope of conceiving. The procedure, performed by highly trained specialists, is non-life-threatening and has proven immensely successful. It has over the years gained widespread trust and acceptance, increasing expectations of women who are unable to experience motherhood in the years ahead.

” Gleneagles Health City’s initiative not only addresses a critical medical need but also represents a significant advancement in global healthcare. The procedure’s success rate is remarkable, empowering recipients to conceive and deliver healthy babies. With more babies born successfully post-transplant, the program’s future looks promising,” quoted Chief Guest Dr J Radhakrishnan, Commissioner of Chennai Corporation at the launch.

” Uterine transplant, once experimental, has evolved into a definitive treatment for women with conditions like absent or non-functional uterus. This initiative brings together specialists including transplant surgeons, gynaecologists, plastic surgeons, Immunologist, Urologist, Haematologist, Intensivist and fertility experts, essential for its success,” noted Dr Padmapriya Vivek, Director, Uterine Transplant, Department of Robotic Gynaecology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fertility Medicine, Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai.

“The hospital’s commitment extends beyond national borders, aiming to impact global healthcare. This initiative is a significant leap in reproductive medicine, offering a transformative option for women aspiring to experience motherhood through advanced medical techniques,” said Dr Nageswar Rao K, Cluster CEO, Chennai & Hyderabad, Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai.

Uterus transplant is a significant milestone in the world of medical advancements. The first uterus transplant in India was conducted in 2017, making it one of the few countries where uterus transplants have been successfully carried out. At Gleneagles Health City, we have performed two successful uterus transplants in 2022, said Dr Selva Seetha Raman, HoD & Senior Consultant, Plastic, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery, Gleneagles Health City Chennai.

“The selection process for donors is rigorous, ensuring compatibility with recipients, typically close relatives like mothers, sisters, or aunts. For those without suitable donors, plans for a cadaver donor program are in the pipeline, which is expected to commence soon in India, and we are expecting Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai to be the first to offer this” said Dr Mats Brannstrom, Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Vice Dean for Research, Sahlgrenska Academy , University of Gothenburg