Turkish surgeons perform second series of kidney transplants in Burkina Faso, aim to build local capacity

Turkish physicians have completed a second series of kidney transplant surgeries in Burkina Faso, continuing their efforts to help establish a sustainable organ transplant program in the West African nation. The operations were performed at CHU-Tengandogo University Hospital in Ouagadougou, led by the Turkish Organ Transplant Foundation with support from Türkiye’s Ministry of Health and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

Building Local Capacity

Dr. Ulaş Sözener, head of the Kidney Transplant Unit at Medicana International Ankara Hospital, emphasized that the goal extends beyond performing surgeries. “We provided technical support and shared our expertise, while local doctors led the patient selection and preparation process,” he said. “Our aim is to help create a system that Burkinabé physicians can operate independently.” Dr. Serkan Akıncı, an organ transplant surgeon from Bezmialem University, added that the project carries a strong humanitarian dimension, given the limited access to transplant services in Burkina Faso.

Training and Collaboration

Burkinabé doctor Boureima Ouédraogo, who worked alongside the Turkish team, noted that cooperation with the Turkish Organ Transplant Foundation began in 2024. The first kidney transplants in Burkina Faso were performed in July 2025 after local doctors received training in Türkiye. “Our aim is to ensure that Burkinabé doctors can perform these procedures independently,” Ouédraogo stated, highlighting that kidney transplants are now being successfully carried out in the country thanks to the partnership.

Background

The Turkish team performed Burkina Faso’s first kidney transplant in 2025. The latest procedures included a transplant between siblings and were completed without complications, with the transplanted kidney functioning normally.