Bangladesh Medical University’s (BMU) Super Specialized Hospital has successfully completed six liver transplant surgeries completely free of charge under a government-funded programme.

Preparations are underway to select patients and complete the necessary procedures for another four liver transplants.

BMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr FM Siddiqui disclosed the information at a press conference held at the university’s Super Specialized Hospital at noon on Tuesday (September 22). He said the hospital plans to perform 24 liver transplants every year.

He said the six liver transplants were completed in three phases. The surgeries were performed on September 1-2 in the first phase, July 3-4 in the second phase, and September 11-12 in the latest phase.

A specialist transplant team from the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) Hospital in Hyderabad, India, provided technical support to BMU doctors and healthcare professionals during the surgeries.

The transplants were carried out through a coordinated effort involving 19 specialized departments, including the Department of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Liver Transplant Surgery, Hepatology, and Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care Medicine.

Professor Siddiqui said all necessary medical examinations, assessments of the physical fitness of donors and recipients, and required legal and ethical procedures were completed before each surgery.

The patients are currently receiving regular follow-up care and services through the Liver Transplant Clinic at the Super Specialized Hospital, he said.

“Building patients’ confidence is challenging, but everyone’s cooperation is needed to improve the quality of healthcare services with strong determination,” Professor Siddiqui said.

BMU authorities said the ongoing programme will play an important role in expanding advanced liver transplant services in Bangladesh while also enhancing the skills and expertise of local doctors and healthcare professionals.