Bahrain’s first liver transplant from a living unrelated donor was performed successfully at the King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH).
The surgery by the Royal Medical Services team (RMS) on Sunday represents a significant milestone in the country’s healthcare sector.
RMS commander Brigadier General Dr Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said the patient had been suffering from liver failure.
“The patient underwent the transplant after comprehensive medical examinations and imaging,” said Brig Gen Dr Shaikh Fahad.
“The unrelated donor underwent rigorous testing to ensure the procedure’s safety.
“The dual surgeries lasted for 12 hours and were successfully completed.”
A living-donor liver transplant is a surgery in which a portion of the liver from a healthy person is removed and placed into someone whose liver is no longer functioning properly. The donor’s remaining liver regrows and returns to its normal size, volume and capacity within a couple of months after the surgery. At the same time, the transplanted liver portion grows and restores normal functions in the recipient.
Most living liver donors are close family members or friends of the transplant candidate, however, in this case the donor was unrelated.
Brig Gen Dr Shaikh Fahad praised the high level of professionalism demonstrated by the multidisciplinary team throughout the process.
He also highlighted the organ transplant programme launched by KHUH in November last year, which has since then achieved positive results.
KHUH Commander and chief executive Colonel Dr Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa thanked Brig Gen Dr Shaikh Fahad for his support of the transplant programme.
rima@gdnmedia.bh
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