KARACHI: Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) is moving towards launching a paediatric liver transplant programme in Karachi with Turkish support, with the proposed collaboration also covering liver transplantation using organs donated after death and improvements in the care of transplant patients.
An MoU with a leading Turkish hospital is expected to be signed soon.
Professor Dr Remzi Emiroğlu, a renowned transplant surgeon associated with Medipol Mega University Hospital, Istanbul, and Ms Meena Samadi, Asia Regional Manager of Medipol Global International Health Services, expressed keen interest in collaborating with DUHS during their recent visit to the university.
The proposed collaboration includes modernising liver transplant facilities, training medical professionals and improving standards of patient care.
DUHS has so far performed more than 250 liver transplants. The university is also collaborating with the University of Chicago under the Paired Transplant Centres Programme of The Transplantation Society and the International Liver Transplantation Society (TTS-ILTS).
During a meeting held at DUHS, participants discussed possible collaboration with Medipol University in several areas, including joint research, strengthening institutional capacity, development of a paediatric liver transplant programme, exchange of medical protocols for pre- and post-operative patient care, and training in deceased-donor liver transplantation.
Paediatric liver transplant programme identified as priority
Professor Dr Nazli Hussain, Vice Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences, described the proposed launch of a paediatric liver transplant programme as a priority under the planned collaboration.
It was noted during the discussions that no paediatric liver transplant has so far been performed in Karachi.
The proposed programme was discussed alongside other areas of cooperation, including specialist training, institutional development and patient-care protocols.
Turkish experience in liver transplantation
Turkey began liver transplantation in 1989 and has developed considerable experience and advanced medical facilities in organ transplantation, particularly liver transplantation, over the past several decades.
The visiting Turkish representatives expressed interest in working with DUHS in the areas discussed during the meeting, including training related to deceased-donor liver transplantation.
DUHS briefs Turkish delegation on transplant programme
At the outset of the meeting, Dr Ashraf Afaq gave a presentation on the university's medical, academic and research facilities.
Dr Jehanzaib Haider, Head of the Liver Transplant and Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) Surgery Unit, subsequently briefed the participants on the journey of the unit since its establishment.
The briefing covered the training of the transplant team, development of infrastructure, research and academic activities, patient outcomes and major achievements of the institution.
The meeting was attended by Professor Dr Uzma Bukhari, Principal of Dow International Medical College (DIMC); Professor Dr Khursheed Samo, Medical Superintendent of Dow University Hospital; Muhammad Babar, Chief Operating Officer of Dow University Hospital; Dr Jehanzaib Haider, Head of the Liver Transplant and Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) Surgery Unit; and other faculty members associated with the transplant programme.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Professor Dr Nazli Hussain, Vice Chancellor of DUHS, and the Registrar presented commemorative shields and gifts to the visiting guests.
The visitors later toured the Dow Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre, MR-Linac facility, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Theranostics, and Gamma Knife Centre.
The visit was described as an important step towards strengthening international academic and medical collaboration and further developing transplant services at DUHS along modern lines.
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