Kidney transplant waiting list hits 10-year record
Singapore's kidney transplant waiting list has reached a 10-year high, with patients waiting an average of nine years for a deceased-donor organ. Health authorities are now promoting living donor transplants to improve survival rates and reduce wait times.
Why it matters
The growing gap between organ supply and demand is a critical public health challenge that requires policy intervention and public awareness.
Kelly Chua (right) donated her left kidney in August 2025 to Tan Xin Yi, her close friend since they were students at Ngee Ann Secondary School.
Listen Summarise Singapore’s kidney transplant waiting list hit a 10-year high, rising to 433 in June 2026, while the average wait for a deceased-donor kidney was more than 8 1/2 years. NKF is working with NOTU, NUH and SGH to teach patients about transplants earlier, and is reviewing donor support to ease costs without turning donation into a payment. Doctors and patients said living donor transplants can offer better survival and quality of life, with real cases showing the strain of kidney failure and the relief of successful family or friend donations. AI generated
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