Transplant Activity in Ukraine for 2026
Ukrainian medical centers performed 159 solid organ transplants and 126 hematopoietic stem cell transplants in the first quarter of 2026. This represents a significant 15% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Notably, 70% of these life-saving procedures were made possible through posthumous organ donation, highlighting the critical role of public awareness and consent in the donor system.
Breakdown of Surgical Procedures
The organ transplant operations were carried out across 18 specialized centers in Ukraine. The highest volumes were recorded at the following institutions:
- Lviv Primary Medical Association — 43
- O.O. Shalimov National Scientific Center for Surgery and Transplantology — 23
- Kyiv City Medical Center — 20
- Heart Institute of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine — 12 heart transplants
- Oberig Clinic — 18 liver transplants
Regarding hematopoietic stem cell transplants, 126 such procedures were completed in Q1 2026, marking a 22% rise from Q1 2025. Thirteen of these transplants were performed on children. These stem cell operations took place at 13 medical facilities, with 26 bone marrow transplants conducted at the Okhmatdyt National Children's Specialized Hospital and 24 at the Cherkasy Clinical Oncology Center.
As of early 2026, the national transplant waiting list holds 3,957 patients. The specific needs are:
- 2,389 people require a kidney transplant
- 734 — a heart
- 739 — a liver
- 57 — lungs
- 4 — a heart-lung complex
- 16 — a kidney-pancreas complex
- 5 — a kidney-liver complex
- 1 — a liver-heart complex
A landmark achievement was the first pediatric heart transplant performed by the transplant team at the Center for Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery. The most complex transplants from unrelated donors were again carried out by teams at Okhmatdyt and the Clinical Center for Oncology, Hematology, Transplantology, and Palliative Care of the Cherkasy Regional Council.
The growth in transplant volumes in Ukraine demonstrates positive momentum in the advancement of medical technologies and the healthcare system, which may indicate an improvement in the quality of medical services.
Amid the ongoing war in the country, the importance of organ donation and supporting transplant patients has become even more urgent. This progress is particularly notable given the immense strain on Ukraine's healthcare infrastructure. It is vital for society to recognize the necessity of donation, as it has the power to save countless lives.
The advancements in Ukraine's transplant procedures are part of a broader effort to enhance medical care for those in need. In addition to organ transplants, the Medevac Ukraine program has successfully treated over 6,500 wounded soldiers abroad, showcasing the country's commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for its citizens.