KATHAMNDU, Dec 9: A liver has been successfully transplanted on a patient for the first time in its history of medical science in Nepal.

A 10-hour-long successful surgery was conducted by a 19-member joint team from South Korea and Nepal. A seven-member Korean team led by Dr Debhina Kohn and a 12-member Nepali team worked to transplant the liver on a patient at Human Organ Transplant Center in Bhaktapur on Wednesday.

The operation had started at 12 noon Wednesday and completed at 10 at night, said one of the doctors involved in the surgery. "It's one of the most complicated surgeries in medical science," said Dr Pukar Chandra Shrestha of the Nepali team. "However, our team conducted the operation successfully as we have all the latest and modern equipment."

Health Minister Gagan Thapa said that it is a great achievement in the field of Nepal's health sector. He said, "Nepal has also proved that it can carry out organ transplant."

The liver was donated to patient Balaram Naga by his 42-year-old sister. The hospital has conducted the transplant on Naga free of cost. A similar surgery in India costs Rs 10-15 million. "We are planning to provide liver transplant service for around Rs 1.5 million in Nepal," said Dr Shrestha.
 

The government enacted Liver Transplantation Regulation only a week ago. However, the fee for liver transplant has yet to be officially fixed. Preparations are underway to fix the liver transplantation fee at Rs 1.5 million to 2 million.

 
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