100 Pediatric Liver Transplants in 18 Months

Setting up a successful liver transplant program is a challenging task, as it requires a team of expert surgeons, anesthetists, hepatologists, intensivists, and other specialists, along with state-of-the-art infrastructure. Apart from doctors, it requires a supportive team of nurses, transplant coordinators, dietitians, counselors, and others to help people with transplantation and the process involved. It is even more challenging to establish a large-volume pediatric liver transplant program within a short span. Any program that performs more than 30 paediatric liver transplants is considered a large-volume centre, and it takes several years to reach this threshold. As the whole team has to be trained to handle children, the availability of trained expertise is a limiting factor.

As of today, there are only a few pediatric liver transplant programs around the world that perform more than 50 pediatric liver transplants per year. Performing more than 100 pediatric transplants in 18 months after the start of a new center is a notable achievement.

Transforming Young Lives: Paediatric Transplant Success at Dr Rela Institute

The Paediatric Multiorgan Transplant Program was started in December 2018 at Dr Rela Institute and Medical Centre to provide liver, kidney, and Bone marrow transplants to children. By May 2020, over 18 months, the paediatric liver transplant program at Rela Institute had completed more than 100 liver transplants in children, an achievement unmatched by any other new liver transplant center. This is not just straightforward liver transplants in children, but includes complex combined liver-kidney transplants, auxiliary liver transplants, etc. This is not possible without the guidance of Prof. Mohamed Rela, a visionary, and his keen interest in establishing a separate unit for multi-organ transplantation in children.

100 Paediatric Liver Transplants and Counting!

Our achievement of 100 pediatric liver transplants (LTs) in a short span is not due to the number of procedures, but rather the joy and smiles we brought to the families who have benefited from the service. It has been accomplished for the first time in the world. We are proud to say that our unit stands as the second-largest Paediatric liver transplant program in the world.

An achievement within this achievement is the successful liver transplant in a 1-month-old baby, the youngest in India, who today is a healthy 1-year-old, bubbling with life. What this proves is that no child is too young to have a life-saving liver transplant.

We thank the Government of Tamil Nadu, Praveen Agarwal Foundation, and the Internet Platforms for providing financial support to the families. The Government of Tamil Nadu sponsored many children through its insurance scheme, and the NGO Praveen Agarwal Foundation, along with crowdfunding, played a significant role in raising funds for many others. This record feat would not have been possible without their support and the trust of the parents.

A Journey of Hope and Healing

At the heart of this achievement lies not just medical excellence, but compassion, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to saving young lives. Every transplant is a story of hope for a child getting a second chance and a family being made whole again. As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to advancing pediatric transplantation, training the next generation of specialists, and ensuring that no child is denied a life-saving opportunity due to lack of access or resources. Together with the support of our partners, government bodies, NGOs, and the trust of countless families, we continue to make the impossible possible!