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Hyd emerging as liver transplant hub
Every week at least two to three liver transplant surgeries are being performed in the city in different hospitals.
Hyderabad: Every week at least two to three liver transplant surgeries are being performed in the city in different hospitals. It comes as no surprise as liver diseases figure among the top 20 causes of death in the country. With patients not only from other States but also from abroad flocking to Hyderabad, the city can proudly claims to be the ‘Liver Transplantation Hub.’
- NIMS offers to perform surgery at `8 lakh
- Prof and HoD Department of Surgical Gastroentrerology Dr N Bheerappa explains salient features of the surgery
Dr N Bheerappa, Professor and HoD, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) said on Friday, “Unlike in the past, when there were just one or two hospitals performing liver transplants, now there are at least 8-10 hospitals. Though cost is a major deterrent, patients have been flocking to the city not only from other states but also from foreign countries.
A liver transplant in the USA and UK can set one back by at least a crore of rupees. In Hyderabad, corporate hospitals charge anywhere between Rs 18 lakh to Rs 30 lakh depending on the case. However, a liver transplant was performed at Rs 8 lakh in NIMS.
When asked why government hospitals have not been able to match up with private hospitals in performing liver transplants, Dr Bheerappa says, “NIMS has made a beginning with three liver transplants and the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology does close to 80-90 surgeries relating to gastrointestinal system including liver, pancreas and bile duct. Our aim is to perform 100 liver transplants in the next five years at
affordable cost.”
An emerging trend is the increase in numbers of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, pointed out Dr Bheerappa. In the last few years we have seen an increase in such cases. Obesity, diabetics and metabolic problems are major reasons for the spurt, he added.
Ever since the cadaver transplantation programme- Jeevandan started a few years ago, only six liver transplantation surgeries were performed in Osmania and NIMS. Dr G Swarnalatha, in-charge of Jeevandan scheme in Telangana State said, “The waiting list for liver transplants as on date is 839. Awareness on organ donation has a long way to go and patients suffering from liver problems can get some relief only if awareness on donations increases.”
With liver transplantation being included in Aarogyasri and Rs 10 lakh provided, the poor especially from rural areas stand to be benefitted. Unlike other organs, liver grows and several patients have gone back and are leading normal lives said Dr Bheerappa, who has 26 years of service in NIMS.
Another alarming trend noticed in the recent past is the rise in paediatric liver cases. On an average 15-20 patients approach NIMS even from far-flung districts of Telangana and doctors attribute metabolic problems as the main reason. Dr Bheerappa said, “Lifestyle changes and consumption of alcohol are also major issues that plague the modern man and leading a healthy lifestyle can to a great extent help in preventing liver problems.”
By T P Venu
