Development of the kidney transplant program in Uzbekistan: a multi-year analysis of surgical activity and future perspectives

Over the past two decades, kidney transplantation (KT) in Uzbekistan has developed unevenly, passing through several stages of growth. Objective: to evaluate these developments by analyzing changes in the volume of transplant procedures, their geographic distribution, and the organization of post-transplant patient follow-up. Materials and methods. The study included 2,803 patients who underwent KT between 2007 and July 2025. Data were obtained from the national registry of recipients of immunosuppressive therapy, as well as from medical institutions at various levels of care. The analysis focused on annual transplant rates, geographic distribution of surgeries, the contribution of individual transplant centers, and the regional distribution of patients during the rehabilitation period. Results. An increase in surgical activity in Uzbekistan became evident only after 2017, with the most pronounced growth in the number of KT procedures observed between 2021 and 2024. During this period, KT transitioned from a rare, high-tech procedure to a routine clinical intervention performed primarily at national transplant centers. The majority of transplantations were carried out at Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Surgery. At the same time, significant regional disparities were identified: most patients continue to receive care in the capital city, while the involvement of regional healthcare institutions remains limited but gradually increasing. Conclusion. The findings indicate the formation of a stable national KT program in Uzbekistan; however, the system of post-transplant follow-up across regions remains inconsistent. Strengthening the capacity of regional and district healthcare facilities, expanding telemedicine services, and enhancing personnel training may improve access to specialized care and reduce the workload on central transplant centers.

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