Jaipur's SMS Hospital resumes stalled kidney transplants after retired doctor's cabin unlocked

Kidney transplant procedures that had remained stalled for weeks at Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital resumed after the hospital administration unlocked the cabin of a recently retired senior nephrologist, allowing access to patient records and administrative documents required for the surgeries.

The controversy began after the retirement of the head of the hospital's nephrology unit on May 31. According to reports, files related to patients awaiting kidney transplants remained inside the locked cabin, delaying the processing of at least 11 transplant cases despite the completion of required paperwork. Many of the patients reportedly continued to undergo dialysis while waiting for life-saving surgeries.

Following media reports and public criticism, the hospital administration opened the cabin, transferred charge of the unit to another senior doctor and restarted the transplant process.

Three patients in critical condition have been admitted, with their transplant procedures expected to be completed first. The remaining cases are also being processed.

Hospital officials maintained that patient records were also available in digital form and said treatment should not have been delayed solely because the physical files were locked inside the room.

They said administrative arrangements had since been put in place to ensure the pending transplant procedures could move forward without further interruption.

The incident has raised questions about administrative continuity at one of Rajasthan's largest government hospitals, particularly in handling critical medical services after the retirement or transfer of senior officials.

The delay also highlighted the challenges faced by patients dependent on timely organ transplantation, many of whom had been staying in Jaipur for months awaiting surgery.

The hospital has not announced any inquiry into the circumstances that led to the delay, but the immediate focus remains on completing the pending kidney transplants and ensuring that no further disruption affects patients awaiting treatment.