Patna's IGIMS now has liver transplantation OPD

PATNA: The first outpatient clinic for people in need of a liver transplant was opened at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna on Saturday.
“The OPD service will only be available on Saturdays when doctors of all allied branches will examine the patients and decide whether they need a transplant or not,” the head of the department of surgical gastroenterology and liver transplant, Dr Manish Mandal, told this reporter, adding that only two patients had undergone liver transplant at the hospital till date.
The doctor attributed the slow pace of liver transplantation at the IGIMS to its high cost (Rs 10 lakh) and a lack of donors. He, however, pointed out that the cost was almost double at private health facilities in the country.
Data shared by the IGIMS stated that at least 200 people of Bihar needed immediate liver transplantation, but they could not afford to pay Rs 10 lakh to the hospital authorities. “If the state government comes forward and bears the expenses, a large number of lives will be saved,” Dr Mandal suggested.
According to sources, only a part of a donor’s liver is surgically removed during transplantation. As a result, his/her health remains unaffected.