A kidney transplant is a treatment option for some people with kidney failure. During transplantation, a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor is placed into the recipient’s body to perform the functions that failing kidneys can no longer adequately provide. A transplant requires careful medical evaluation before surgery and lifelong follow-up afterward. Recipients need anti-rejection medicines to reduce the risk of the immune system attacking the transplanted kidney, along with regular monitoring of kidney function and medications. Although transplantation can provide an alternative to dialysis for suitable patients, it is not a cure and requires ongoing medical care. This article explains the basics of kidney transplantation, eligibility assessment, treatment after transplant, and the importance of long-term specialist follow-up.