In a significant development for patients suffering from end-stage lung disease, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH), New Delhi, has announced a collaboration with the Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant at KIMS Hospitals, Hyderabad. This partnership aims to bring advanced lung transplant services and life-saving interventions to the National Capital Region (NCR), addressing the growing burden of respiratory failure caused by a variety of health conditions and environmental factors.

The lungs are increasingly under siege due to a wide range of diseases—congenital, systemic, lifestyle-related, and connective tissue disorders. Among these, air pollution has emerged as a leading contributor to lung damage. Despite advancements in treatments, many lung conditions remain progressive, often leaving patients reliant on supplemental oxygen and significantly compromising their quality of life.

Lung transplantation, in such cases, offers a critical lifeline. It not only gives hope to patients but also assists physicians in managing cases of irreversible lung failure.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, a 870-bedded tertiary care super-speciality hospital, has long been a frontrunner in organ transplantation, performing around 100 liver and 200 kidney transplants annually. With state-of-the-art operating theatres, intensive care units, and a legacy of over 70 years in ethical and affordable patient care, SGRH is now set to add lung transplantation to its repertoire through this strategic alliance.

Dr. Ajay Swaroop, Chairman of the Board of Management at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, emphasized the institution’s commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare. “We are pleased to announce our collaboration with KIMS Hyderabad to provide comprehensive care to patients with respiratory failure,” he said.

Leading the lung transplant initiative from KIMS is Dr. Sandeep Attawar, whose team performs nearly 100 lung transplants each year—constituting about 90% of all such procedures in India. “I welcome the opportunity and thank our partners at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Our goal is to spread awareness, collaborate clinically, and eventually establish a full-fledged lung transplant program in Delhi,” Dr. Attawar stated. He also highlighted the importance of integrating advanced life-sustaining therapies such as ECMO and nitric oxide treatment as bridges to transplantation.

Dr. Attawar stressed that thoracic organ transplantation relies heavily on coordinated teamwork across multiple specializations. “A successful transplant program depends on experienced teams with shared clinical exposure and expertise. By collaborating with local clinical teams, we aim to bring this collective knowledge to Delhi through technology and knowledge transfer, ultimately benefiting the community at large.”

This collaboration marks a pivotal step in making Delhi a hub for cutting-edge respiratory care and organ transplantation, potentially transforming the lives of thousands of patients battling end-stage lung disease.