A mother has donated a kidney to her child suffering from Alport syndrome, marking the first transplant of its kind in Macedonia, according to the country’s Ministry of Health. The procedure offers new hope for patients living with rare inherited kidney diseases.
Medical examinations confirmed that the mother and child were compatible and that she was a suitable living kidney donor.
Alport syndrome is a rare inherited disorder that damages the kidneys and can gradually lead to kidney failure. In severe cases, patients may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
The Ministry of Health described the operation as an important achievement in treating patients with rare genetic conditions.
A Mother’s Donation Offers Her Child a New Chance
The successful transplant demonstrates that kidney transplantation can be a treatment option for patients with inherited disorders when appropriate medical evaluations and careful preparation are carried out.
Health Minister Sasho Klekovski praised the medical team and the family for their contribution to the procedure.
“This is an example of the best in our healthcare system — expertise, teamwork and humanity. Every transplanted kidney means a new chance at life,” Klekovski said.
The ministry emphasized the importance of detailed medical testing before transplantation, particularly when the donor and recipient are family members.
National Transplant Coordinator Professor Dr. Biljana Kuzmanovska thanked the family for placing their trust in the medical professionals and agreeing to share their experience publicly.
“We extend our gratitude to the family for their trust and for consenting to have this case shared publicly, as well as to the entire medical team involved around the clock in this complex medical procedure,” Kuzmanovska said.
Kidney Transplants in Macedonia Rise to 15 in 2026
The procedure comes amid an increase in kidney transplantation activity at the University Clinic of Urology.
Klekovski recently visited three patients who had undergone kidney transplants at the clinic. Two received kidneys from deceased donors, while the third underwent transplantation from a living donor.
With these three procedures, the number of kidney transplants performed at the clinic in 2026 has reached 15.
That compares with 11 kidney transplants performed during the whole of 2025, according to the Ministry of Health.
The latest operation also highlights the role of living organ donation in treating patients with serious kidney conditions.
For the child and family involved, the transplant represents an opportunity for improved health and quality of life, while medical teams will continue monitoring recovery and the functioning of the transplanted kidney.
The Ministry of Health said the case illustrates how specialized medical care and coordinated transplantation teams can expand treatment opportunities for patients with rare diseases.
