The National University Centre for Organ Transplantation (NUCOT) is a leading centre in Singapore, with more than 50 years of experience. We have successfully performed more than 700 adult and paediatric kidney transplants to date.
Professor Chan Kong Thoe, head of the then University of Singapore’s Professorial Surgical Unit, led the first deceased donor kidney transplant in the country in 1970. NUH commenced its operations in 1985, and the first kidney transplant in the hospital took place in 1987. Since then, NUCOT has consistently demonstrated outstanding clinical outcomes, meeting international standards.
We perform complex transplant operations for suitable donor-recipient pairs. For instance, in cases where blood groups (ABO) are incompatible for living donor transplants, we use a paired exchange kidney transplant system to match positive living donors. Our team’s approach ensures comprehensive, dedicated and personalised care for transplant patients.
In addition to our clinical services, NUCOT is actively involved in training and research in transplantation. It holds accreditation from the International Society of Nephrology and offers training in kidney transplantation while hosting numerous fellows from across Asia.
You can see the frequently asked questions about kidney transplants and learn about the process of donating your kidney here.
Directors
Associate Professor Hersharan Kaur Sran
Medical Director and Senior Consultant
Associate Professor Tiong Ho Yee
Surgical Director and Senior Consultant
Clinicians Transplant Coordinators
Professor A. Vathsala
Senior Consultant
Associate Professor Tiong Ho Yee
Senior Consultant
Associate Professor Hersharan Kaur Sran
Senior Consultant
Adjunct Associate Professor Benjamin Goh Yen Seow
Senior Consultant
Adjunct Assistant Professor Lu Jirong
Consultant
Dr Emmett Wong
Consultant
Dr Chang Zi Yun
Consultant
Dr Matthew D'Costa
Consultant
Goh Chee Ling
Principal Transplant Coordinator
Chan Foong Kheng
Senior Transplant Coordinator
Joreen Poh
Senior Transplant Coordinator
Tan Chin Ling
Senior Transplant Coordinator
Camy Cheng
Transplant Coordinator
Lim Jia Min
Transplant Coordinator
Yap Ching Ting
Transplant Coordinator
To date, NUCOT has performed more than 700 adult and paediatric kidney transplantations. The kidneys were obtained from living and deceased donors. Our commitment extends beyond the surgeries; we offer ongoing post-transplant care and regular medical follow-ups at our Specialist Outpatient Clinic. On average, we perform close to half of the total number of kidney transplants, both living and deceased-donor kidney transplants, in Singapore annually.
In 2020, NUCOT accounted for 37.9% of the total kidney transplants in Singapore (both living and deceased donor kidney transplants).1
NUCOT is a national referral centre for deceased kidney donations and transplants. In 2020, we performed 60% of the total number of deceased donor kidney transplants in the country.1
1Based on 2020 annual report from the Ministry of Health, National Organ Transplant Unit.
Our post-transplant outcomes have been recognised internationally. Our clinical outcomes are better than or comparable with international benchmarks. The tables below present the patient survival rate and the graft survival rate at the post-transplant stage:
| Patient Survival (Living Donor, 1987 – 2020) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 5-years | 10-years | 20-years | |
| NUCOT (n=305) | 99.3% | 96.4% | 92.4% | 78.7% |
| SRR1 | 99.2% | 96.1% | 90.0% | – |
| US2 | 98.9% | 93.8% | 82.7% | – |
| Aust/NZ3 | 98.0%~ | 96.0%~ | 88.0%* | 67.0% |
| Patient Survival (Deceased Donor, 1987 – 2020) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 5-years | 10-years | 20-years | |
| NUCOT (n=333) | 96.2% | 93.5% | 82.7%% | 68.9% |
| SRR1 | 97.4% | 91.6% | 82.0% | – |
| US2 | 97.0% | 88.8% | 72.2% | – |
| Aust/NZ3 | 98.0%~ | 90.0%~ | 75.0%* | 46.0% |
1 Singapore Renal Registry, 2017 Report
2 United States Renal Data Systems 2019 Annual Report, for 2016 (1Yr), 2012 (5Yr) and 2007 (10Yr) respectively
3 ANZ Data, 2019 Annual Report for 2010-2014 Transplants~; 2005-2009 Transplants* and for 1995-1999 Transplants
NUCOT has achieved many kidney transplant milestones over the years:
1970 – Deceased donor kidney transplant for an adult patient in Singapore
1976 – Living donor kidney transplant for an adult patient in Singapore
1987 – Living donor kidney transplant for an adult patient at NUH
1990 – Deceased donor kidney transplant for an adult patient at NUH
2005 – Kidney transplant for an adult patient, who had undergone a bone-marrow transplant, in Singapore
2009 – Living donor kidney transplant for ABO-incompatible blood group and positive-HLA cross match in Singapore
2010 – Dual kidney transplantation from deceased donor at NUH
2010 – Pure laparoscopic kidney retrieval for living donor at NUH
2010 – Combined liver and kidney transplant of a 16-year-old patient in Singapore
2012 – Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant for patient with Type 1 Diabetes in Singapore
2012 – Altruistic directed donor kidney transplant in Singapore
2015 – Retroperitoneoscopic right donor nephrectomy in NUH
2015 – Transvaginal NOTES-assisted living donor nephrectomy in Singapore
2015 – Living paired exchange kidney transplant in Singapore
2019 – Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant of patient with Type 2 Diabetes in Singapore
2019 – Appointed by the Ministry of Health as the dedicated surgery site for simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant in Singapore
NUCOT provides comprehensive, dedicated and individualised care to patients at the pre and post-transplant stage. We also welcome potential living organ donors.
Referrals to NUCOT
NUCOT accepts both self-referrals and referrals from healthcare practitioners. Patients can do a self-referral by contacting our NUCOT clinic directly or have your primary physician refer you to us.
Click here to know more about our NUCOT clinic’s location, contact details and operating hours or to schedule an appointment.
