LIVER transplant centres should be established through Pakistan. Liver transplants were started in 1963, some three years before the first heart transplant was done.

But it took a lot of time before we adopted it. It is sad that for such a huge population we are trying to establish just one liver transplant centre.

We need such centres at district levels throughout Pakistan. Many Pakistanis visit China and India for a liver transplant, even though the cost of liver transplant in Pakistan may be one-third compared to such countries.

Due to regenerative potential of liver there is no need for cadaveric donations. Availability of cyclosporin has reduced rejection cases as well.

Muhammad Ashtar

Islamabad

Published in Dawn January 24th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play