New ward complex at NCULTS to boost liver transplants

sam silva Saturday, 18 February 2012 08:48 AM

Liver transplantation cost money.

Transplantation is simple surgery where new blood supply is established for the organ which is donated to a patient from a suitable donor. This only requires a reasonable theatre with blood transfusion support and some special equipment. This process can be carried out by most surgeons.

The expenditure is mainly due to medication used to prevent rejection of the organ due to the body of the patient recognising the donor organ as foreign.

Liver problems can be due to many reasons. Most common causes are alcohol abuse and viral infection.

Should we offer liver transplantation to a person who has liver failure due to alcohol abuse? What are the chances of them consuming alcohol again? This money comes from the tax we pay as high fuel price.

Who is monitoring the quality of skills of these doctors who are using the procedure?. What are there success rates in the past?

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AF Sunday, 19 February 2012 04:33 AM

I certainly agree with the certain comments made by sam. It is good to have a transplantation unit
However these involve hours of surgery (theatre time /man power/medication/operational cost) and post operative care. Not just the cost of setting up the unit. There are so many patients in the waiting lists for months or years to get their surgeries done to end their suffering. So It is important to take all these factors in to consideration in a country like ours where the health care is free and struggling to cope with the demand.

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