Deki Yangzom (2016)

Deki Yangzom is a 31 year-old Bhutanese woman living in Yurung, Pemagatshel District, Bhutan. She was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure in January 2015. Since then, Mrs. Yangzom is undergoing dialysis twice a week at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan. She was advised by the nephrologist in the hospital to undergo a kidney transplant.

Deki is a house wife by profession and is married with a civil servant, who sustains the family. They have an 8 year old son who is studying in 1st grade. Deki is currently 7 hours travelling distance away from her husband and son to receive treatment in the capital. She currently lives with her elder brother and his family in Thimphu.

Mrs. Yangzom has been looking for a blood related volunteer kidney donor from her siblings. Her three older brothers got disqualified due to an inherited high-blood pressure disease. In November 2016, her cousin, Mr. Thinley, came forward to donate one of his kidneys to Mrs. Yangzom. The preliminary tests have all been performed successfully at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital. The next step is to refer Deki to Kolkota, India, for the kidney transplant procedure. After Deki is referred, the kidney transplant procedure will be performed in March 2017. The medical expenses for the kidney transplant procedure are borne by the Bhutanese government. Nevertheless, the patient requires a sufficient budget to stay in India during the transplant procedure, and during the aftercare consisting of post-transplant reviews. The Bhutanese government does not provide such a budget. Because the living standard in India is higher than in Bhutan, this budget is often hard to provide for the patient him- or herself. Deki is taken care of by the Bhutan Kidney Foundation, who organizes the practical, administrative and financial aspects of the medical aid for kidney patients in Bhutan.

The Himalaya Club has decided to provide a donation for the kidney transplant of Deki Yangzom. A kidney transplant will enable Deki to survive, to have a normal and happy life with her family, and to take care of her son.