Super Specialized Hospital BMU completes 6 liver transplants, targets 24 annually
The vice-chancellor said BMU performed one liver transplant each in 2019 and 2023, but the procedures were not conducted regularly.
Highlights:
- 2 more transplants planned for surgery in October
- Tk30 lakh estimated cost per transplant at BMU
- Free treatment may continue with govt support until 2027
- 1,000+ liver transplants needed annually in Bangladesh
- Up to Tk1 crore needed for treatment abroad
Super Specialized Hospital at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) has completed six liver transplants, with four more patients prepared for the procedures as the university moves towards establishing a regular liver transplant programme.
A team comprising doctors from 19 departments completed the six transplants, led by Professor Bidhan Chandra Das, chairman of BMU's Department of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Liver Transplant Surgery. Professor Mohsen Chowdhury and Dr Mohammad Saif Uddin were also part of the surgical team.
All six transplants were performed free of cost with government funding, BMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr FM Siddiqui said at a press conference at the hospital today (22 September).
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"We have opened a new door for regular liver transplantation in Bangladesh. We plan to conduct an average of two liver transplants every month, or 24 a year," he said.
According to BMU, two of the six transplants were performed on 1 and 2 September 2025, while four were completed on 3 and 4 July and 11 and 12 September 2026. All six patients are currently receiving follow-up treatment at the university's liver transplant clinic.
The vice-chancellor said BMU had performed one liver transplant each in 2019 and 2023, but the procedures were not conducted regularly. A regular programme began after the university adopted a new action plan in April this year.
"Preparations are underway to conduct two more liver transplants between 10 and 12 October. Four patients have already been prepared for the procedures," he said.
Foreign treatment can cost Tk1 crore
Responding to questions about costs, Professor Siddiqui said a 14-day liver transplant package in a neighbouring country costs around Tk40 lakh, while travel, accommodation, tests and additional ICU costs can take the total to Tk1 crore.
"We have calculated that if we can conduct transplants regularly, it would be possible to complete one within around Tk30 lakh. This is a preliminary estimate, which could decrease as the programme expands," he said.
He said free transplantation would not be possible indefinitely and BMU may receive government support until 2027.
On donor selection, he said multiple levels of verification under the Human Organ Transplantation Act prevent financial transactions and irregularities.
A BMU expert committee first verifies the donor-recipient relationship, medical suitability and documents before the case goes to a national committee comprising health ministry officials, senior police officers and experts.
BMU also verifies the donor's identity, origin and family relationship, contacting local representatives when necessary.
19 teams involved
Professor Siddiqui said 19 specialised departments were involved in the six procedures, including hepatobiliary, pancreatic and liver transplant surgery, hepatology, anaesthesia, analgesia and intensive care medicine.
A specialist transplant team from the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) Hospital in Hyderabad, India, provided technical support.
"This is not the success of any single surgeon. It has been made possible by surgeons, hepatologists, anaesthetists, nurses, resident doctors and the infection control team working together," Professor Siddiqui said.
Daughter donates liver to father, sister to sister
In one case, 23-year-old Sumaiya Kabir of Bandar in Narayanganj donated part of her liver to save her father, 62-year-old Kabir Hossain Haji, who was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in January 2025.
The family spent more than Tk40 lakh on his treatment over the following one and a half years and had to sell land to cover the costs. Sumaiya's liver segment was transplanted into her father at the Super Specialized Hospital on 3 July.
Sumaiya recovered within 12 days, while her father is gradually recovering.
In another case, college student Ismat Ity of Sharankhola in Bagerhat was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in February this year. Her family became worried after learning that a transplant abroad would cost around Tk1 crore.
In July, Ismat received a free liver transplant at the Super Specialized Hospital using a portion of her elder sister Ayesha Siddiqua's liver. She has since recovered and is preparing for her HSC examinations.
Demand exceeds 1,000 transplants a year
Dr Md Shahinul Alam, professor of hepatology at BMU, said around 50 million Bangladeshis suffer from liver disease, while 22,000-25,000 die annually from liver-related diseases, according to WHO data.
With cirrhosis and liver cancer major causes of death, Bangladesh needs more than 1,000 liver transplants a year, he said.
He said liver transplantation is technically very critical, but its maintenance is relatively easy compared with kidney transplantation.
Successful transplantation can improve patients' working capacity and quality of life, enabling them to lead normal lives in the long term, he added.
