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In 2025, kidneys were transplanted into 41 patients at the University Clinical Hospital in Białystok, and 17 multi-organ transplants were performed. These impressive results were summarized on January 26, 2026 during the celebration of National Transplant Day, marking the 60th anniversary of the first kidney transplant in Poland.

"In 2025, our clinic transplanted 41 kidneys, breaking a streak that began during the pandemic, when we saw a truly dramatic decline in transplants performed," said  dr hab. Jerzy Głowiński, head of the Vascular Surgery and Transplantation Clinic at the University Clinical Hospital, during today's press conference. "Now, the number of transplants is gradually increasing significantly here and across the country. What we, as transplant physicians, would like is greater awareness that kidneys don't have to come from deceased donors, but can also come from living donors"

Awareness of this phenomenon is significantly higher worldwide than in Poland, ranging from 20% to even 50% in European countries. Families or loved ones decide to donate a kidney to a loved one. In Poland, however, family transplants have consistently accounted for only 5% to 6% of transplants performed over the past 20-30 years.

According to Jerzy Głowiński, education and a strong voice from authorities are needed to encourage family transplants. Dr. Anna Litman-Krawczyk, transplant coordinator for Poltransplant at the University Clinical Hospital, admitted that education and numerous campaigns are increasing public awareness and families are becoming less likely to oppose organ donation for loved ones who have been declared brain dead.

On January 26th Poland is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first kidney transplant in our country. The first such procedure took place in Białystok on March 1, 1989, marking the first transplantin the eastern Poland. It was performed by Professor Stanisław Głowiński and a team of surgeons, with Professor Michał Myśliwiec providing internal medicine.