National University Centre for Organ Transplantation (NUCOT)
National University Centre for Organ Transplantation (NUCOT) has been celebrating successes in organ transplantation since 1970. The first transplant in Singapore was a deceased donor kidney transplant led by Professor Chan Kong Thoe, head of the then University of Singapore’s Professorial Surgical Unit, and a team of surgeons. The background work on the treatment of kidney failure with dialysis had begun even earlier by Professor Khoo Oon Teik of the University of Singapore’s Department of Medicine.
NUH subsequently opened its doors for patient care at Kent Ridge in 1985 and the first transplant was performed in the new NUH campus in 1987.
Over the years, transplantation at NUH grew in numbers, scope and complexity. NUCOT was then officially established as a specialist centre for both adult and paediatric organ transplantation in 2008, bringing together a comprehensive multidisciplinary suite of medical specialty services required throughout our patients’ transplantation journeys.
With advanced surgical techniques and improved medicine to prevent infection and rejection, organ transplantation is now recognised as the best treatment option for end-stage organ failure patients. To date, NUCOT has performed more than 1,000 kidney, liver and pancreas transplants. NUCOT is Singapore’s leading and only centre that provides both adult and paediatric organ transplant services, with outcomes comparable to international benchmarks.1, 2, 3, 4
We are a key institution for clinical training and research in the Southeast Asian region and have been actively raising awareness and expertise for organ donation and transplantation in Singapore and the region.
Our Services
Our healthcare professionals from different disciplines adopt a collaborative approach, working seamlessly together to provide specialised and holistic care for our kidney, liver and pancreas transplant patients with intensive and dedicated long-term follow-ups. Our services include pre-transplant medical assessments, surgical and micro-surgical specialised services, post-transplant intensive care and recovery, outpatient check-ups and lifetime medical reviews. Our team approach ensures that transplant patients are provided with comprehensive, dedicated and individualised care.
Our transplant coordinators and other allied health professionals such as medical social workers, transplant pharmacists and dietitians work together to provide the required support and education to our patients and their caregivers.
1NUCOT Adult Kidney Transplantation Programme,
2NUCOT Adult Liver Transplantation Programme,
3NUCOT Paediatric Kidney Transplantation Programme,
4NUCOT Paediatric Liver Transplantation Programme