BMU says the breakthrough could expand kidney transplantation opportunities by allowing donations from people with close emotional ties, even without blood relations.

Doctors at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) have successfully performed the country’s first kidney transplant using an organ donated by an “emotional donor” – a person with no blood relationship to the recipient but with a close emotional bond.

The development opens a new avenue for kidney transplantation in Bangladesh by expanding the pool of potential donors beyond family members and blood relatives, university authorities said today (19 September).

BMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr FM Siddiqui disclosed the information at a press conference.

He said individuals who share a deep emotional relationship with a patient can now voluntarily donate a kidney, subject to legal and regulatory approval.

“However, the reason behind the donation and the nature of the emotional relationship between the donor and recipient will be thoroughly assessed. All legal aspects will also be examined before a final decision is made,” Siddiqui said.

He stressed that no financial transaction can take place between a donor and recipient under any circumstances.

“It must be entirely an emotional and humanitarian decision,” he added.

According to BMU authorities, kidney transplantation in Bangladesh has long faced legal and technical constraints, limiting the number of procedures.

They said the introduction of emotional donor transplants is expected to increase access to kidney transplantation and offer new hope to patients suffering from kidney failure.