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Best Nephrologists for Kidney Transplant in Chennai, India

This page lists 2 kidney transplant doctors in Chennai, India. Review each doctor's experience, specialty and hospital, then contact our care team for help with the next step.

Quick answer

This page lists 2 kidney transplant doctors in Chennai, India. Review each doctor's experience, specialty and hospital, then contact our care team for help with the next step.

About Kidney Transplant doctors in Chennai, India

This directory is based on doctors currently listed in GAF Healthcare's registry. Clinical suitability varies by patient; a doctor should review your history and investigations before any treatment decision.

Kidney Transplant doctors

Image not available Featured

Dr. A R A Changanidi

MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Nephrology)
Associate Consultant — Nephrology · Specialty: Nephrologist
Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai Chennai, India9+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
  • 9+ years of experience in Nephrologist
  • Associate Consultant, Nephrology — Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai, Chennai, India (Present)
  • Clinical training and experience — Madras Medical College, Chennai, India
Expertise & Procedures
  • Hemodialysis access assessment and management
  • Peritoneal dialysis initiation and training
  • Kidney biopsy interpretation and guidance
  • Pre-kidney transplant medical evaluation
  • Post-transplant nephrology follow-up
View all procedures →
Nephrologist Experience: 9+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Gleneagles HealthCity ChennaiHospital accreditation: NABH, JCI
View Profile Book a Consultation
Image not available

Dr. Chandrasekaran Venkataraman

MBBS, MD, DNB, DM, Speciality Certificate in Nephrology
Visiting Consultant — Nephrology · Specialty: Nephrologist
Rela Hospital Chennai, India22+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
  • 22+ years of experience in Nephrologist
  • Visiting Consultant Nephrologist, Rela Hospital, Chennai (Present)
  • Consultant Nephrologist, Gleneagles Global Health City, Perumbakkam, Chennai
Expertise & Procedures
  • Live Donor Kidney Transplantation
  • Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation
  • Combined Liver-Kidney Transplantation
  • Hemodialysis Initiation and Management
  • Kidney Biopsy and Histopathological Analysis
View all procedures →
Nephrologist Experience: 22+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Rela HospitalHospital accreditation: NABH, NABL
View Profile Book a Consultation

Hospitals where these doctors practise

Gleneagles Global Hospital🇮🇳 Chennai, India
Starting from$13,000

Gleneagles Global Hospital

Est. 1999
NABH — National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers accreditationJCI — Joint Commission International accreditation
Kidney TransplantNephrologyCardiac SurgeryCardiology
1+
Doctors for Kidney Transplant
4.7
112 reviews
1000+
Beds
27+
Years Since Founded
Dr. A R A Changanidi
View Hospital Profile Enquire / Get Free Opinion
Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre🇮🇳 Chennai, India
Starting from$13,000

Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre

Est. 2018
NABH — National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers accreditationNABL — National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories accreditation
Kidney TransplantNephrologyCardiac SurgeryCardiology
1+
Doctors for Kidney Transplant
4.7
108 reviews
450+
Beds
8+
Years Since Founded
Dr. Chandrasekaran Venkataraman
View Hospital Profile Enquire / Get Free Opinion

Why consider treatment in India?

Many international patients consider India for chronic kidney disease treatment for several reasons, including:

More affordable estimates

Competitive indicative costs compared with many other countries, for similar clinical standards.

Internationally accredited hospitals

Hospitals experienced in treating international patients.

Experienced specialists

Doctors who regularly manage similar cases.

Care coordination support

A team to help with planning, medical translation and follow-up.

About the Procedure

What is Kidney Transplant?

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure to place a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor into a patient whose kidneys have failed due to conditions such as chronic kidney disease, ESRD, diabetic nephropathy, or polycystic kidney disease. It restores normal kidney function, eliminates the need for regular dialysis, and significantly improves quality of life and long-term survival. India is a leading destination for kidney transplants due to skilled transplant surgeons, high success rates, and cost-effective packages for international patients.

Who may be considered?

Kidney Transplant may be considered after a qualified specialist reviews your reports and medical history. Suitability varies from person to person and must be assessed by your treating doctor.

How does it work?

A kidney is surgically removed from a healthy, medically compatible living donor (often a relative) and transplanted into the recipient, typically offering shorter waiting times and excellent long-term outcomes.

2 approaches available for this procedure:

Living Donor Kidney Transplant

Most Popular

A kidney is surgically removed from a healthy, medically compatible living donor (often a relative) and transplanted into the recipient, typically offering shorter waiting times and excellent long-term outcomes.

Comprehensive Investigations

Estimated cost: $800 - $2,000

Blood grouping and cross-matching, HLA typing, CBC, kidney and liver function tests, viral markers (HIV, Hepatitis B & C), urine analysis, chest X-ray, ECG, echocardiogram, CT angiography of renal vessels, ultrasound abdomen for donor and recipient

Treatment / Procedure Estimate

Estimated cost in India: $13,000 - $19,000

Stay in India

Pre-procedure stay (outside hospital): ~3-4 days
Hospitalisation: ~10-12 days
Recovery period (outside hospital): ~30 days recommended
Total stay: approx 40-45 days

Usually Included in Hospital Package

  • Donor and recipient pre-transplant workup
  • Surgeon, anesthetist and OT charges
  • ICU and ward stay for both donor and recipient
  • Immunosuppressant medications during hospital stay
  • Post-operative nursing care and monitoring

Usually Not Included

  • Long-term immunosuppressant medications after discharge
  • Visa, travel and accommodation outside hospital stay
  • Donor evaluation travel costs if donor is abroad
  • Legal/ethics committee approval fees
  • Treatment of post-transplant complications

Recovery and follow-up

Most patients require 4-6 weeks of close monitoring in India for medication adjustment, kidney function checks, and early detection of rejection before returning home. Lifelong immunosuppressant therapy and regular follow-up with a nephrologist are essential for graft survival.

Risks

Risks include organ rejection, infection due to immunosuppression, surgical complications (bleeding, blood clots), and side effects of long-term immunosuppressant medications. Regular monitoring significantly reduces these risks and improves long-term graft survival.

Alternatives

For patients not eligible or not yet ready for transplant, ongoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis remain the main alternatives to manage kidney failure, though they do not restore full kidney function like a transplant.

What we need to prepare a formal estimate

Share whatever you have — the care team will confirm the final checklist after reviewing your case.

Reports required

  • Recent kidney function tests (serum creatinine, eGFR, urea)
  • Dialysis history and current dialysis prescription
  • Blood group and HLA typing reports of patient and potential donor
  • Ultrasound/CT of kidneys and urinary tract
  • Cardiac evaluation (ECG, echocardiogram)
  • Viral marker reports (HIV, Hepatitis B & C)
  • List of current medications and comorbidities
  • Biopsy reports if underlying kidney disease was previously diagnosed

Patient information needed

  • Age, weight and general health status of patient and donor
  • Cause and duration of kidney disease (e.g., diabetes, PKD)
  • Current dialysis type and frequency, if applicable
  • Availability and relationship of a potential living donor
  • Blood group of patient and potential donor
  • History of previous transplants or organ rejection
  • Any known allergies or history of major surgeries
  • Insurance coverage or budget for treatment

Costs shown are indicative planning estimates based on typical pricing across leading Indian hospitals. They are not a quote — actual pricing depends on your case complexity, hospital choice, and length of stay. Share your reports for a personalized estimate.

Want a formal estimate?

Share your reports and patient information so our care coordination team can review your case.

How this directory is built

Doctors are matched using the specialty, location, condition (Kidney Transplant) and procedure (Kidney Transplant) recorded in their profiles. Inclusion is not an endorsement and does not guarantee a treatment outcome.

Need help with the next step?

Share your needs with our care coordination team for information about doctors and hospitals.

Common questions

FAQs about Kidney Transplant in Chennai, India

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic kidney disease is a progressive, long-lasting reduction in kidney function, defined clinically as abnormalities in kidney structure or function persisting for more than three months. It is classified into five stages based on how well the kidneys are filtering the blood, measured by a calculation called the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
What are the symptoms and health risks of Chronic Kidney Disease?
In early stages, CKD frequently causes no noticeable symptoms, but as the condition advances, people may experience fatigue, swelling in the legs or ankles, changes in urination patterns, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, nausea, and persistent itching. Uncontrolled high blood pressure and fluid retention are also common and can compound cardiovascular risk. It is important to understand that these symptoms overlap with many other conditions, and their presence or absence alone is not sufficient to establish a CKD diagnosis.
How is Chronic Kidney Disease diagnosed?
CKD is typically identified through blood tests measuring the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which reflects how efficiently the kidneys filter waste, and urine tests detecting protein (albuminuria) or blood in the urine, which signal kidney damage. Staging from G1 (mildly reduced or normal function with evidence of damage) through G5 (kidney failure), combined with albuminuria category, guides prognosis and treatment decisions. Additional investigations such as kidney ultrasound, blood pressure monitoring, and sometimes a kidney biopsy may be necessary to identify the underlying cause and inform individual management.
How is Chronic Kidney Disease treated?
Treatment for CKD is tailored to the stage of disease, its underlying cause, and the patient's overall health, and ranges from lifestyle changes and medication through to kidney replacement therapy. In earlier stages, the focus is typically on slowing disease progression and managing complications through blood pressure control, blood sugar management in diabetic patients, dietary modifications, and medications that protect kidney function. In advanced or end-stage CKD (stage G5), kidney replacement therapy in the form of hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation becomes necessary, with the most appropriate option determined through individual clinical assessment.
Can Chronic Kidney Disease be treated without a procedure?
For most patients, especially in stages G1 through G4, a non-procedural approach forms the cornerstone of care and includes blood pressure management (commonly with ACE inhibitors or ARBs), optimizing blood glucose control, low-sodium and protein-appropriate dietary adjustments, smoking cessation, weight management, and regular monitoring to track disease progression. Medications may also be prescribed to manage anemia, phosphate levels, and other complications of reduced kidney function. Non-procedural management can meaningfully slow the rate of decline and delay or, in some cases, reduce the need for dialysis, though this depends entirely on individual clinical circumstances assessed by a qualified specialist.
When is Kidney Transplant considered for Chronic Kidney Disease?
Kidney Transplant may be considered only when it is appropriate for the confirmed diagnosis and the expected benefit outweighs the individual risks. The decision may depend on symptom severity, investigation results, previous treatment, overall health and the patient's goals. A specialist should discuss alternatives and recovery before any procedure is planned.
Which doctor treats Chronic Kidney Disease?
CKD is primarily evaluated and managed by a nephrologist, a physician who specializes in kidney disease and its systemic effects. In cases where transplantation is being considered, a transplant nephrologist and a transplant surgeon typically work together as part of a multidisciplinary team that may also include dietitians, pharmacists, and specialist nurses.
How do I choose a doctor for Chronic Kidney Disease?
When selecting a provider for CKD care, it is worth comparing the nephrologist's experience with your specific underlying cause (such as diabetic kidney disease or glomerulonephritis), the center's access to all three kidney replacement modalities (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and transplantation), and the availability of structured multidisciplinary follow-up, since long-term continuity of care is central to outcomes in this condition.
What documents do international patients need to share for a medical evaluation?
Share a concise medical summary, symptom timeline, previous diagnoses, investigation and imaging reports, procedure or biopsy reports where relevant, current medicines, allergies and related treatment records. Provide clear copies with translations when needed. The reviewing doctor may request additional information before giving an opinion.
How does GAF Healthcare help international patients plan treatment in India?
Our care coordination team can review the initial information, help identify suitable doctors and hospitals, request a medical opinion where available, explain next steps and indicative cost information, and support practical planning before travel. A remote opinion does not replace an in-person examination or emergency care.
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