Kidney transplantation is a medical procedure performed to replace the function of a damaged kidney with a healthy one from a donor, allowing patients with kidney failure to achieve a better quality of life. This procedure is one of the treatment options for patients with end-stage kidney disease. However, not everyone can become a kidney donor. There are several medical and non-medical criteria that must be met to ensure the safety of the donor and the success of the transplant.
Dr. dr. Maruhum Bonar H. Marbun, Sp.PD-KGH, FINASIM, an internal medicine specialist and kidney and hypertension consultant at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, emphasizes that understanding the criteria for kidney donors is essential before undergoing the procedure. By knowing these requirements, potential donors can ensure they are medically fit and minimize possible risks.
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Kidney Donor Criteria Explained by Dr. dr. Maruhum Bonar Sp.PD-KGH, FINASIM
Dr. Bonar explains that the fundamental requirement for becoming a kidney donor is being in good overall health. This means that the donor should not have certain medical conditions that could affect their daily life.
“To become a kidney donor, the basic principle is that the person must be healthy and not suffer from certain diseases such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, malignancies, or other conditions that may interfere with daily life,” said Dr. Bonar.
“We usually recommend donors from within the family. It can be immediate or extended family, such as nephews or cousins. If not from family, at least the blood type should be compatible. In some cases, close friends or even neighbors can become donors, as long as they are well known to the recipient,” he added.
Concerns About Kidney Donation: Can Donors Live Normally with One Kidney?
Many potential donors worry about whether their body function will decline after donating one kidney. However, medically, the human body has a strong ability to adapt, allowing it to function well even with a single kidney.
“Therefore, when someone donates a kidney, if we consider their function to be 100 percent, then about 50 percent is given to the recipient. The remaining 50 percent in the donor will adapt. So even though it is 50 percent and properly maintained, it will compensate, meaning its function will not remain at just 50 percent—it can become more than that, and this has been supported by research.
People who donate a kidney as living donors have a life expectancy comparable to the general population. So philosophically, donation can lead to a healthy life for the donor, while also giving another person the chance to live a healthier life.”
This explanation shows that kidney donation does not necessarily have a negative impact on the donor’s quality of life. With good health and proper medical monitoring, donors can continue to live normally. In fact, kidney donation not only helps save the recipient’s life but also provides long-term benefits in terms of overall health and quality of life for both parties.
Profile and Practice Schedule of Dr. dr. Maruhum Bonar Sp.PD-KGH, FINASIM at Mandaya Puri
Dr. Bonar is one of the key doctors behind the success of the first kidney transplant procedure at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri.
Dr. dr. Maruhum Bonar H. Marbun, Sp.PD-KGH, FINASIM is an internal medicine specialist with a subspecialty in nephrology (kidney and hypertension), with extensive experience in managing various kidney disorders.
He is skilled in treating a wide range of conditions, including chronic kidney disease, acute kidney failure, and complications related to hypertension and diabetes. Supported by his education and training in internal medicine and kidney subspecialty, Dr. Bonar provides comprehensive care for patients with kidney-related conditions.
In his daily practice, Dr. Bonar is also experienced in managing dialysis therapy such as hemodialysis, evaluating eligibility for kidney transplantation, and monitoring patients after transplantation, including the management of immunosuppressive therapy.
Dr. dr. Maruhum Bonar H. Marbun, Sp.PD-KGH, FINASIM is available at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri on:
- Tuesday: 18:00 – 20:00 WIB
- Saturday: 12:00 – 14:00 WIB
To make your visit more convenient, you can use the WhatsApp Chat feature, Book Appointment service, or the Care Dokter application available on Google Play and the App Store to check queue numbers and access more information.
The information provided on this page is intended for educational and general informational purposes only and does not represent the full scope of medical services provided by each doctor. For appropriate treatment based on your condition, it is recommended to consult directly with the relevant doctor.
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