Liver transplant facility

E-Paper | July 28, 2026

ONE of the unfortunate characteristics of Pakistan is the large number of projects that look viable enough on paper but come to grief on the ground.

Thankfully, though, also available are a few endeavours that, in their success and commitment, stand out like beacons. One that immediately comes to mind is Abdul Sattar Edhi’s vast enterprise; another is the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation in Karachi, which has over the years proved the steadfastness of its dedication to serve all patients alike, free of cost, and with the highest standards of professionalism.

It is in this context that the latter institution’s desire to set up a liver transplant facility must be framed. On Thursday, the provincial health department sent a summary to the chief minister for the approval of a request to provide a grant of Rs1bn to SIUT for the establishment of such a centre. And in the interest of patients who need help in this regard all over the country, there is really no reason why the request should not be approved.

Also read: Rs1bn sought for SIUT liver transplant facility

As a summary noted, the facility already has full infrastructure for a large-scale kidney transplantation department, with the requisite technical expertise and trained staff that provide “qualitative healthcare services”.

The facility has the space, having set up a new building alongside the original premises of the Karachi Civil Hospital. And there is no denying the issue: official estimates say that there is an “acute need” to save lives through transplantation since some 150,000 patients need the procedure every year.

The institution has spearheaded a campaign Pakistan desperately needs, ie countering people’s resistance to and misunderstanding of cadaveric organ donations. But in the case of liver transplants, fortunately, even this stumbling block is not there: the science for live-donor liver transplantation has been in practice for over a decade since this is the only organ in the body that can regenerate itself.

For the larger benefit, SIUT ought to be provided funds for furthering its healthcare services.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2015

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Newspaper

Writing on the wall

Still unprepared

Delayed devolution

Jan 10, 2015 03:19am

Patients are most welcome to India for liver transplants

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P Setra

Jan 10, 2015 08:13am

@NN India does have better medical facilities.Pakistanis have already availing that. But having a facility there could save a lot of Pakistanis time and money.

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Mohammed Sukhera

Jan 10, 2015 11:49am

There are drugs available in Western countries to treat liver diseases like Hepatitis B and C. Liver transplant is only used as a last resort depending on the availability of a suitable donor and is a very expensive procedure. No doubt liver transplant facility in Pakistan is urgently needed but you also need trained surgeons in the country for such procedures. First we need to focus on treatment of liver diseases with proven drugs which are lot less expensive. Drugs like Viread by Gilead Sciences; USA has been approved by FDA in 2008, for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. The US Company has been actively seeking Pharmaceutical companies in other countries to manufacture the drug and make it available at affordable prices to the masses. There are over 10 million people in Pakistan suffering from hepatitis B and C but unfortunately the drug is not available in Pakistan, even though Ferozsons Laboratories Limited has entered into an agreement with Gilead Sciences to be its exclusive branded medicines business partner for Pakistan since June 2014. Why it took seven years for the drug companies in Pakistan to reach agreement with a foreign company while the thousands of people in the country are dying every year for lack of proper medicine. Our emphasis should be on the availability of the latest drugs in the world to fight diseases, educate our people in preventive care rather than the most expensive procedures. Smoking or use of Tobbaco causes lot of healthcare issues for the people and should be banned or heavily taxed to discourage its use. Gilead USA has also entered into agreement with Pharmaceutical companies in India and the drug under the name of Tenvir is readily available in India at a very low price of Rs 1200 for 30 days.

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N K Ali

Jan 10, 2015 12:55pm

Amazing! Nicely written article. Editor: You should pursue this cause with energy and gumption, regardless, of your duty hours at DAWN. As we all know, that the PPP filled Sindh government has not done anything worth praising, so, might as well give it your best shot. Thanx and Salams

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Common man

Jan 10, 2015 05:48pm

It should be established as early as possible. I can feel the pain of patients and as well their loved ones. I have passed through the situation when my father was suffering in liver disease and unfortunately I could not find a single hospital for the liver plant. I could not afford to take him to India or anywhere else abroad. My father passed away. Thousands of others are waiting to die as there is no hope in the near future to build such facility. Media should pursue these kind of issues as they are directly connected with the common man.

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Janu Not-German

Jan 10, 2015 06:47pm

@NN Yes. There are facilities available in India but they are very expensive for 'foreigners'. One of the family I know went there spent over 10M (most of which was borrowed) and unfortunately still wasnt able to secure the life for the patient. We need something affordable in our own country. Hats off to SIUT for the initiative

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kulwant singh

Jan 12, 2015 06:56am

@Janu Not-German My dear Brother the liver transplant costs Rs.5 Million in India and it is the cheapest in the world that is why patients from other countries come to India but we know very few people can afford this and if the Govt of Pakistan provide funds and an Institute is set up it will help poor patients.

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