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Successful liver transplants at Gangaram

Staff Reporter

Of 34 patients operated upon, 14 were from countries like Pakistan, Nigeria and West Indies

Liver transplant specialist, Dr. A.S. Soin, being greeted by nine-year-old Ayush Chawla who underwent liver transplants, at a press conference at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, in New Delhi on Thursday. -- Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

NEW DELHI: They all believe that miracles happen. Nine-year-old Ayush Chawla from Delhi, 54-year-old Mariam Shehu from Nigeria and 52-year-two-old Bea Baidjanath Misier from the West Indies formed part of a strong group of 34 patients who have successfully undergone a highly specialised liver transplant conducted at Sri Ganga Ram Hospital here. They were all diagnosed with end stage liver failure.

The hospital claims to have carried out the complicated surgeries with a success rate of 89 per cent which, according to doctors here, is comparable with the best in the world.

Of the 34 patients operated at the hospital's Gyan Burman Liver Surgery Unit, 14 were from countries including Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangaldesh, Nigeria and the West Indies.

Speaking about the operations, the Chairman of Surgical Gastroenterology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Dr. S. Nundy, said: "Of the 34 patients who underwent liver transplant in the past one year, 20 are from India, eight from Pakistan, three from Myanmar and one each from Bangladesh, Nigeria and Aruba (West Indies). Liver transplant is needed for patients who are suffering from end stage liver failure and success rate in this hospital is 89 per cent that matches the best internationally and is done at the cost of Rs 16 lakhs that is among the most competitive rates in the market."

"In India cadaver donor transplant never took off due to the culture and tradition of our country. Therefore the board of management of the hospital has a complete and comprehensive programme to execute a living donor liver transplant programme. All our donors too are doing well and the liver transplant team has performed the largest number of liver transplants in South Asia during the year. The centre also provides a platform for training surgeons in advanced surgical gastroenterology," noted Dr. Nundy.

"We urge people to donate body organs without being bothered about traditions. People like us benefit from this generous donation and many lives can be saved in the process," said Preeti Chawla, mother of nine-year-old Ayush who donated a part of her liver for her son who is doing well now.

`Lucky destination'

"India for me has proved to be a lucky destination. When doctors back in Holland were telling me to go home and wait for my death after I was diagnosed with liver cancer, a small hospital in Delhi offered me hope. The medical facility available here is among the best in the world. However, want we need now is more donation by people," said Bea Baidjanath Misier who came to India with her husband -- also her donor -- for her liver transplant.

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