Arunachal Pradesh achieved a medical milestone on September 27 with its first-ever kidney transplant at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) in Naharlagun.

The recipient was a 34-year-old man and the donor his 45-year-old sister. A specialist team from Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital assisted TRIHMS doctors in the complex procedure.

Both the donor and the recipient are reported to be recovering well, officials said.

The transplant marks a major step for healthcare in the frontier state, where patients with organ failure have long had to travel to Delhi, Guwahati or other metros for advanced treatment.

The state government has also raised financial support for kidney patients under the CM CARES scheme to Rs 12.5 lakh, easing the burden on families facing expensive treatment.

Health officials said TRIHMS plans to build on the success and expand transplant services, bringing advanced care closer to home for the people of Arunachal Pradesh.