The transplant baby is hale and hearty and no longer requires intensive care, say doctors working for the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, where he was operated upon on Nov 25. His discharge from hospital shows that, barring unforeseen complications, the country’s first liver transplant operation was a success.
The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate Sohaib’s discharge, at which the journalists saw him for the first time since his operation. He seemed to be in good health, though a little inconvenienced by the constant flashing of the photographers’ many cameras.
Sohaib’s mother — Saima Asad — told Dawn that he was fine. “He is better, much better now after the operation,” she added. Answering a question, Mrs Asad said her family was not asked to pay a single penny for the operation, laboratory examinations and medication.
The boy’s maternal uncle — 21-year-old Mohammad Waseem, who donated a part of his liver to him — got a well-deserved applause from the doctors, journalists and family members present.
In his brief talk, Mr Waseem said he could not bear to see his nephew’s condition go from bad to worse. “That’s why I insisted that I will donate a portion of my liver to him.”
He said he was a happy man now that Sohaib had learnt to smile and laugh again. He thanked God that his blood group and organ matched those of his nephew. Mr Waseem praised the SIUT staff for having carried out the transplant operation successfully.
Later, talking to Dawn, he said he worked as a plumber at a private organization. In response to a question, the slightly-built Waseem said he felt fine. “The donation of a part of my liver has not affected my health.”
Dr Adibul Hasan Rizvi said Sohaib’s successful operation was the result of two years of hard work. Elaborating, he said the SIUT’s surgeons had carried out the liver transplant operation only after carrying out the same on many animals.
He pointed out that the operation had been carried out in collaboration with the surgeons from the King’s Hospital, London, who were on hand during it. Asked about the total cost of Sohaib’s operation, the professor said the SIUT had not worked it out.
“But, when we start carrying out the operation as routine, one transplant is expected to cost Rs1 million, although the patients will not be asked to pay a penny.”