Hungary marked a new milestone in organ transplantation as the first kidney cross-donation was successfully performed at the Surgical Clinic of the University of Pécs Clinical Centre (PTE KK).
The procedure, part of Hungary’s living donor kidney exchange programme, allowed two women to receive kidneys from the male partners of the other couple, giving them a chance at a better quality of life. Both transplants were immediately successful, and all donors and recipients are recovering well.
Cross-donation enables kidney transplants when a direct donation is not possible for medical reasons. The national programme, launched on June 21, 2024, uses specially developed software to find optimally compatible donor-recipient pairs across the country, ensuring equal access for all participants.
The surgeries were performed by Dr. Péter Szakály and Dr. Dorottya Katics for one pair, and Dr. Ádám Varga and Dr. Károly Kalmár Nagy for the other. Beyond the medical breakthrough, the programme demonstrates how structured cooperation can strengthen societal solidarity, transforming individual acts of care into a broader collective support system.
Source: University of Pécs Clinical Centre
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