KEM seeks to push affordable liver transplant programme

In an effort to make its affordable liver transplant programme a success, KEM hospital is now planning to outsource expertise. The liver transplant facility in KEM, one of the city's largest public hospitals, was inaugurated in June 2010. However, live liver transplant surgeries were stopped after two people died. However, the hospital authorities are continuing with the cadaver transplant surgeries.

"Liver transplants have been stopped after both a recipient and a donor died in November 2010," said a senior doctor.

KEM hospital has conducted 8-10 cadaver liver transplants. Dr Avinash Supe, dean of the hospital, said, "Liver transplant surgery is very complex and needs a different set-up. It also involves a lot of investment. After an initial hiccup, we are continuing with cadaver liver transplant surgeries and so far doing good. In the past six months, we did one cadaver liver transplant as it depends on the availability of cadaver organ as per the Zonal Transplant Coordination Committee waiting list."

The hospital presently has 20 people on its waiting list for liver transplants and is making efforts to review its project. "In a private set up, they get doctors from Delhi and the south. We are in talks with a few consultants too, especially our ex-students who can come and work on an honorary basis," said Dr Supe.

Dr Supe added that getting a full-timer for liver transplant programme will not be economically viable. "As a public hospital, we have to take care of overall health care. We want more consultants for the programme but we can't afford the fee of a full-timer. However, we are in talks with a few consultants regarding the salary which will be convenient for both the parties," he said.

A liver transplant in a private hospital costs up to Rs18-20 lakh. KEM hospital has reduced the cost to about Rs5 lakh.

"It's a first of its kind facility in a government set-up. It is sad that we had to stop live liver transplants because of one failure. It was an unfortunate incident. The deceased was prone to infection due to old age. She was alive for a month and that shows there was nothing wrong with the surgery. She got infected later," said the doctor.