The possibility of conducting kidney transplants in Bermuda is being reviewed by the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders.

It comes after a team of Norwegian surgeons visited the island in March and submitted a proposal that is now being assessed for clinical and financial viability.

“The ministry and other stakeholders have had discussions with a Norwegian group's Global Transplant Initiative, seeking to do kidney transplants locally,” a spokeswoman told The Royal Gazette.

“The GTI team presented a proposal that they believe to be viable. It is being considered to determine if it would be viable and safe to do this complex procedure locally, and if it is financially viable.

“The process is ongoing. An important point of feedback is that there may be scope to enhance education to seek more live donors locally, which would increase the number of transplants annually.”

According to the spokeswoman, the assessment includes a review by the ministry, the Bermuda Health Council, local nephrologists and insurance companies.

The team of surgeons asked to tour King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and met with the Chief of Staff, according to a spokeswoman for Bermuda Hospitals Board.

“It is important to note that Bermuda Hospitals Board did not initiate this meeting. The decision of whether or not or where to do kidney transplants does not lie with BHB.

“This is a matter for the Ministry of Health and Seniors, the Bermuda Health Council, local nephrologists and the insurance companies that pay for the procedures.”

But the spokeswoman added that if it was decided to perform transplants in Bermuda utilising the Norwegian team, BHB would merely provide the facilities and support services.

“These requirements were reviewed with the Norwegian team in detail and it was determined that BHB would be able to support their transplant team.”