MILAAP SUCCESS STORY · KIDNEY TREATMENT
Still Hoping: A Wife’s Fight to Get Her Husband the Transplant He Needs
When my husband Mukarram first fell seriously ill, neither of us could have imagined how long and difficult this journey would become. What began as a persistent cough soon turned into kidney failure, and though the transplant we hoped for could not go ahead, I have not given up on finding him a way forward.
May 2022
When Mukarram’s illness first began, shortly after our marriage
2x / Week
Dialysis sessions Mukarram continues today
Still Hoping
For a donor, after the planned transplant could not go ahead
A cough that turned into kidney failure
My husband’s illness began shortly after our marriage in May 2022, when he developed a persistent cough that we initially believed was caused by a change in weather after he returned from Saudi Arabia.
But the cough continued to worsen. His sleep was affected, he eventually began coughing up blood and developed severe breathing difficulties. As his condition deteriorated, we took him to different hospitals for treatment. At one point, doctors suspected tuberculosis and started him on medication, but his condition did not improve. His reports later showed rising creatinine levels, indicating that his kidneys were also being severely affected.
“His condition kept deteriorating, and I was largely the one standing beside him through it. It took nearly a year of trying to convince his family before I decided that if nobody else was willing to help, I would become his donor myself.”
— Mukarram’s Wife
A long search for a donor
I brought Mukarram to my family’s city so that he could be treated by a kidney specialist. After several consultations and investigations, including a biopsy at Apollo Hospital under Dr. Shahzad Alam, his condition continued to deteriorate. Different treatments were tried, but his creatinine levels did not come down. He later returned to Saudi Arabia, but his health worsened again, forcing him to come back to India. By December, doctors told us that his condition had become serious enough to require regular dialysis.
The treatment journey was difficult not only because of his worsening health but also because I was largely the one standing beside him. His family members were unhappy with our decision to seek treatment away from home, and there was a long period during which we had to convince his family to consider a kidney transplant. Although Mukarram has parents, brothers and sisters, no one from his family was willing to donate a kidney. After nearly a year of trying to convince them, I decided that if nobody else was willing to help, I would become his donor myself.
How Milaap helped
Before seeking wider support, we managed expenses through whatever savings we had, financial assistance we received through the PM Fund, and help from my brothers. But with no current source of income for Mukarram and me, and with us living at my parents’ home, continuing treatment has become increasingly difficult. I am also responsible for the expenses of our daughter, which adds another layer of financial pressure.
Mukarram’s fundraiser was created with the help of Mustafa, a friend of his maternal uncle, who introduced us to Milaap and handled the online process. The campaign received strong support, and for me, that support became one of the few moments of hope during an otherwise uncertain journey. We remain grateful for the support we received from donors and well-wishers.
“The support from donors became one of the few moments of hope during an otherwise uncertain journey. We remain grateful to everyone who stood by us.”
— Mukarram’s Wife
Where we are today
We are still hoping for a transplant. If we are able to find a suitable donor and the transplant becomes possible, we plan to approach Milaap again with an updated treatment estimate and seek support for the next stage of Mukarram’s care. Until then, dialysis and medicines remain part of his routine, while I continue to stand by him through the uncertainty.
For families facing similar medical crises, I have little advice beyond a heartfelt prayer. We ourselves are still living through this same difficult period and can only pray that other families find relief from their struggles.
Mukarram’s journey is still far from over. The transplant we had hoped for could not happen, but I have not given up. I continue to search for a way forward, hoping that a donor can be found and that Mukarram can finally receive the treatment he needs to move beyond the cycle of dialysis and illness.
Facing the ongoing cost of dialysis while hoping for a transplant?
Long-term dialysis, regular medicines and the eventual cost of a transplant can add up faster than a family’s savings or income can keep pace with. We help families reach a wider circle of support so treatment doesn’t have to stop.
Frequently asked questions
How much does long-term dialysis and kidney treatment cost in India?
Costs vary by hospital and city, but regular dialysis, medicines and the tests needed to prepare for an eventual transplant can add up to several lakh rupees over time. Mukarram’s family has relied on savings, government assistance through the PM Fund, and a Milaap fundraiser to help manage these costs.
Why do hospitals carefully evaluate a living kidney donor before a transplant?
Hospitals are required to confirm that a living donor is genuinely willing and not being pressured into donating, especially when the donor is not a blood relative of the patient. This evaluation process is meant to protect donors, but it can also mean that a transplant is delayed or does not proceed if the hospital has unresolved concerns.
Can a spouse donate a kidney to their partner?
Yes, spousal kidney donation is legally permitted in India and is fairly common, particularly when no family member is a suitable or willing match. Hospitals still carry out the same medical and legal evaluation process for a spouse as they would for any other donor.
How do I start a fundraiser for dialysis or a kidney transplant?
You typically need a diagnosis report, a treatment cost estimate from the hospital, and identity proof for the patient or the person raising funds on their behalf. Our team helps applicants gather and verify these documents before the fundraiser goes live.
Story shared with permission · Written by Milaap
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