NAGALAND, INDIA: In a recent conversation with a liver transplant specialist at the Nikos Hospital, it was discussed how patients suffering from end-stage liver failure can find hope through life-saving procedures. The doctor emphasized that individuals experiencing symptoms such as jaundice, ascites, or swelling in legs—often due to alcoholic or non-alcoholic liver disease—should not lose hope. Liver transplantation is a viable option that can significantly improve quality of life, even reversing severe conditions.
Patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and children with metabolic liver diseases, such as Wilson disease, also greatly benefit from liver transplants. The doctor explained that a critical condition is that those with alcoholic liver disease must be abstinent from alcohol for at least three months before being considered for transplantation. The chances of survival post-transplantation can be as high as 100%, providing renewed life for patients.
Two types of liver transplants were highlighted: cadaveric and live donor. In live donor transplants, the liver is taken from family members— a necessity as donors must be blood relatives. Remarkably, the liver has a unique ability to regenerate; donors typically recover within a month after the surgery, while transplant recipients may require a hospital stay of 10 to 14 days and need ongoing immunosuppressive medication to prevent rejection of the new liver.
Patients in Nagaland can access liver transplantation services at Star Hospital in Hyderabad, free of cost through a government health insurance scheme. The specialist, who has over ten years of experience, conducts monthly consultations to support patients in need, stressing the importance of maintaining liver health through regular exercise and alcohol cessation. This initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing healthcare access and improving the lives of liver disease patients in the region.
