The National University Centre for Organ Transplantation (NUCOT) has been celebrating successes in organ transplantation since its establishment in 1970. The first transplant in Singapore was a deceased donor kidney transplant led by Professor Chan Kong Thoe, head of the then University of Singapore’s Professorial Surgical Unit, alongside a team of surgeons. The groundwork on the treatment of kidney failure with dialysis had been laid by Professor Khoo Oon Teik of the University of Singapore’s Department of Medicine.
NUH, thereafter, opened its doors for patient care services at Kent Ridge in 1985, and the first transplant in the new NUH campus took place in 1987. Over the ensuing years, transplantations at NUH witnessed a growth in terms of volume, scope and complexity. In 2008, NUCOT was officially established as a specialist centre catering to both adult and paediatric organ transplantation, bringing together a comprehensive multidisciplinary suite of medical services essential for our patients’ transplantation journeys.
With advancements in surgical techniques and improved pharmaceuticals to prevent infection and graft rejection, organ transplantation is now recognised as the best treatment option for patients facing end-stage organ failure. NUCOT has, to date, performed more than 1,000 kidney, liver and pancreas transplants. As Singapore’s leading and sole centre that provides both adult and paediatric organ transplant services, NUCOT consistently achieves outcomes comparable to international benchmarks.1, 2, 3, 4
Furthermore, NUCOT is a key institution for clinical training and research in the Southeast Asia. It is actively engaged in raising awareness and fostering expertise in organ donation and transplantation in Singapore and the region.
Our healthcare professionals from diverse disciplines adopt a collaborative approach to seamlessly deliver specialised and holistic care for our kidney, liver and pancreas transplant patients. This commitment extends to intensive and dedicated long-term follow-ups. Our range of services include pre-transplant medical assessments, surgical and micro-surgical specialised services, post-transplant intensive care and recovery, outpatient check-ups and lifetime medical reviews. Through our team-oriented approach, we ensure that transplant patients receive comprehensive, dedicated and individualised care.
Additionally, our transplant coordinators and other allied health professionals, including medical social workers, transplant pharmacists and dietitians, work together to provide essential support and education to our patients and their caregivers.
Through our expertise, we are able to offer complex transplant services for suitable donor-recipient pairs, including blood group (ABO)-incompatible living donor transplants and cross-match positive living donor transplants. In 2015, we performed the first successful living paired exchange kidney transplant in the country.
Click here to find out more about the Adult Kidney Transplantation Programme.
The paediatric kidney transplant team specialises in delivering care for infants, children and adolescents up to the age of 21 who require long-term dialysis and kidney transplant. We work closely with the adult kidney transplant team to ensure a smooth transition for our patients to adult care. We strive to provide holistic and family-focused medical care for all our patients.
Click here to find out more about our Paediatric Kidney Transplantation Programme.
Our care team ensures that every transplant patient receives comprehensive, dedicated and individualised care in a seamless one-stop approach. Equipped with state-of-the-art interventional radiology and endoscopy services , we improve graft and patient survival—a key aspect in the success of liver transplantation and effective management of potential complications.
Click here to find out more about the Adult Liver Transplantation Programme.
Our paediatric liver transplant programme is dedicated to the evaluation and management of children with end-stage liver disease, both pre-transplantation and during the post-operative phase. As a national referral centre, NUCOT caters to children up to the age of 21 years in need of a liver transplant due to end-stage or metabolic liver disease.
Recognising the importance of a seamless transition for our paediatric patients to adult care, we operate the Adolescent and Young Adult Liver Transplant Transition Clinic. This specialised clinic facilitates multiple sessions for our paediatric liver transplant recipients, preparing both the patients and their parents for a smooth transition to adult care.
Click here to find out more about the Paediatric Liver Transplantation Programme.
In 2012, we initiated the pancreas transplantation programme in collaboration with the Singapore General Hospital. We were appointed the dedicated surgical site for pancreas transplants in 2021. This means that we are the only centre in Southeast Asia that performs pancreas transplants.
Our range of services include pre-transplant medical assessments, surgical and micro-surgical specialised services, post-transplant intensive care and recovery, outpatient check-ups and lifetime medicine reviews. Through our team-oriented approach, we ensure transplant patients receive comprehensive, dedicated and individualised care.
Click here to find out more about the Adult Pancreas Transplantation Programme.
NUCOT provides comprehensive, dedicated and individualised care to patients at the pre and post-transplant stage. We also welcome potential living organ donors.
Opening Hours
Monday to Fridays: 7.30am to 5.00pm
Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays: Closed
Contact
[email protected]
Location
NUH Main Building, Zone F,
Level 1, #01-15
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.
2023
Click here for more news related to NUCOT.
Solid organ transplant recipients experience outstanding long-term survival under the care of NUCOT. These results are a testament to over 30 years of development and consolidation of clinical transplantation research at NUCOT. The current focus of organ transplantation research at NUCOT revolves around the hallmark of chronic allograft survival, with particular interest in:
Find out more about our clinical research efforts through the years by clicking on the respective links below.
To support your loved one throughout their transplant journey, it is important to understand the advantages, risks, steps and areas of precaution involved. The information provided on this website is meant to dispel some the uncertainties, myths and fallacies about organ donation.
Whether you are a family member, friend, colleague or boss, understanding potential issues that may affect an organ recipient is important.
They may need to go for frequent blood tests or doctor’s appointments, which can impact their social life, work or school schedule. Some tests may require fasting or special methods of collection.
They may not immediately be '100%'. Side effects from medications, such as hair growth, acne, mood swings and weight gain due to high dosages, may occur. Try to be supportive and understanding about these symptoms. These symptoms usually diminish as medication doses are tapered down.
Watch out for any emotional issues such as depression, guilt and stress that may arise post-transplant.
Encourage and help them to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. Consider exercising together or sharing healthy recipes.
Organ recipients have reduced immunity due to medications. If you are unwell with a cold/flu/fever or any infectious disease, do stay away or wear a surgical mask when in close contact. Practise good hygiene at all times.
If at any point you are unsure of what to do, seek advice from a medical professional or the organ recipient’s transplant coordinator.
Don't Hold Back Campaign
Brain Death (PDF, 639 KB)
Deceased Organ Donation Process in Singapore (PDF, 760 KB)
Transplant Doctors React to Medical Drama
