Dow University of Health Sciences Marks 190th Liver Transplant

Pakistan has made an efficient development in the world of liver transplantation. Dow University Hospital has successfully conducted its 190th liver transplant under the guidance of international medical experts. This was performed as a live demonstration that was conducted on Wednesday, April 9th 2025.

Details About the 190th Liver Transplant

This was the country’s first live demonstration of a liver transplant, supervised by world-renowned surgeons from the United States at Dow University’s Ojha campus. These included Professor John LaMattina, who has previously visited Pakistan; and Professor John Fung, who was visiting the country for the first time. Professor John Fung is considered a living legend in the field of liver transplantation and he is also a close associate of the late Professor Thomas Starzl (who is widely regarded as the pioneer of liver transplant).

Both professors provided valuable insights to Dow’s liver transplant team which was headed by Dr. Jehanzaib Haider. The complex surgery involved a 23-year-old donor who provided a 750-gram portion of his liver to his 42-year-old uncle. The recipient was suffering liver failure due to long-term hepatitis B and D infections. His 23-year-old nephew volunteered to donate 750 grams of his liver, facilitating the successful transplant.

Post Surgery Appreciation

Vice Chancellor Dow University Professor Muhammad Saeed Quraishy commended the team on achieving yet another major milestone in the country’s medical history. He also expressed deep gratitude to the international faculty for their active participation and knowledge-sharing during the live transplant session.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Jehan Ara Hassan, who was present throughout the broadcast, shared that the recipient hailed from Shahdadkot and had no financial means to undergo such a sophisticated surgery privately. Hence, the transplant was done free of cost, solely from the support of Sindh government.

Transplantation is in the Right Hands

Dow University has now completed 190 liver transplants, all without charging patients, and more than 500 kidney transplants and dozens of bone marrow transplants. Even right now, it seems that Dow is developing a proposal for an organ donation bank to help improve accessibility and awareness among the locals. Surely, this is a step ahead for a very bright future of transplantations in the medical field.