Transplant

Apollo Hospitals Commemorates 'A Decade of Liver Transplantation'

Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals celebrated 'A Decade of Liver Transplantation' at its facility, recently. Apollo Hospitals had created history when it performed the first successful liver transplant in the country on 15 November, 1998 on one-and-a-half-yearold Sanjay Kanthasamy. Sanjay suffered with biliary atresia, the most common condition that necessitates a liver transplant in children. He received 30 per cent of his father's liver. Sanjay is now 11-year-old and his parents joined in along with more than 60 recipients and donors to commemorate 'A Decade of Liver Transplantation' at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.

Said Dr Prathap Reddy, Chairman, Apollo group of hospitals said, "We gave a commitment to the nation 25 years ago of bringing world class healthcare to the reach of common man. The success of our liver transplant programme exhibits that we are second to none and India is well on its way to become a global healthcare destination. Our programme has encouraged all sections of the society to come together to promote organ donation so that many more lives can be saved."

In 1997, at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, the first dedicated liver transplant unit was set up. Around this time, advances in liver surgery made it possible for transplant to be conducted in adults from living related donors. "Since 1998, more than 200 liver transplants have been done. In the last two years 128 liver transplants have been done with 90 per cent success rate and 100 per cent success in pediatric cases. Our transplant unit has received patients not only from India but also from fifteen other countries including USA and Canada", said Dr Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director, Apollo Hospitals.

EH News Bureau