Turkey offers liver transplantation for Pakistani patients

ISLAMABAD: Special assessment centres will be designated across the country to assess patients seeking liver transplant surgeries in Turkey, which has offered discounted package for Pakistani patients in view of the special relationship that the two countries enjoy.

A decision to this effect was taken during a meeting in which a Turkish delegation of senior liver transplant specialists led by Director General Health Oner Guner, and Pakistan’s Minister of State for Health Saira Afzal discussed prospects of liver transplant facilities for Pakistani patients in Turkey. Secretary Health Muhammad Ayub Shaikh, officers representing the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the meeting.

Saira informed the delegation that 1,500 Pakistani patients require liver transplant facility each year. The Turkish side elaborated the facilities available in Turkey for liver transplant procedures. Oner Guner shared that every patient who undergoes liver transplant surgery in Turkey is followed-up for life after the procedure. The Turkish side also offered capacity building of Pakistani doctors and facilities for liver transplant surgeries.

Special visa facilitation for Pakistani patients was also discussed during the meeting. Earlier on, the Turkish side was briefed about the liver transplant situation in Pakistan, the challenges being faced by patients, and the need for collaboration.