Karachi: Dow University successfully completes 190th liver transplant under international supervision; donor and recipient in stable condition

Karachi: Dow University successfully completes 190th liver transplant under international supervision; donor and recipient in stable condition

Karachi: In a significant advancement for organ transplantation in Pakistan, Dow University Hospital has successfully conducted its 190th liver transplant under the guidance of international medical experts. The complex surgery involved a 23-year-old donor who provided a 750-gram portion of his liver to his 42-year-old uncle, with both individuals reported to be in stable condition post-operation.

The operation commenced early on Wednesday and continued into the evening. It was broadcast live from the Dow University operation theater to the seminar hall and streamed via the university’s official website and social media platforms, offering an educational opportunity for a large gathering of medical students and trainees.

The procedure was supervised by renowned international surgeons, including Professor John LaMattina—who has previously visited Pakistan—and Professor John Fung, who visited the country for the first time. Both are affiliated with the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine. The professors provided valuable insights to Dow’s liver transplant team, headed by Dr. Jehanzaib Haider, on cutting-edge surgical techniques and global trends in liver transplantation.

Vice Chancellor of Dow University, Professor Muhammad Saeed Quraishy, congratulated the team on the successful transplant and expressed his appreciation to the visiting international experts. Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Jehan Ara Hassan, who was present during the live session, shared details about the patient’s background. The recipient, a 42-year-old resident of Shahdadkot, had suffered 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.

Professor Hassan noted that, with the support of the Sindh government, Dow University has now completed 190 liver transplants, all provided at no cost to the patients. She also highlighted that Pakistani society’s approach to organ donation is often shaped by religious and cultural beliefs. In response, Dow University is developing a proposal for an organ donation bank to help improve accessibility and awareness.

She further announced that Dow University of Health Sciences is hosting Pakistan’s first International Conference on Transplantation later this week. The two-day event will bring together leading local and international transplant specialists to share research, experiences, and strategies. Featured speakers include Professors John Fung and John LaMattina from the University of Chicago, Pakistani-American Professor Muhammad Mansoor Mohiuddin, and Professor Paulo Grossi from Italy. Dr. Mohiuddin gained global recognition for conducting the world’s first successful transplant of a genetically modified pig heart into a human patient in the United States.

Professor Hassan also highlighted that on Thursday, religious leaders and scholars—including Allama Mufti Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Chairman of the Islamic Ideology Council; former Chairman Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani; and clerics from various schools of thought—will convene at Dow University to discuss the Islamic perspective on organ donation and transplantation.

In addition to its 190 liver transplants, Dow University has successfully performed over 500 kidney transplants and dozens of bone marrow transplants. Dr. Sohail Rao, Scientific Advisor to Dow University and a key organizer of the upcoming conference, described the event as a historic milestone for the nation’s medical community. Dr. Muhammad Hassan moderated the live transplant session in the seminar hall, providing critical commentary and guidance to attendees throughout the surgery.