Dow Organ Support Society — Expanding Deceased Organ Transplantation for Livers at NISOTT

The Dow Organ Support Society (DOSS), under the National Institute of Solid Organ & Tissue Transplantation (NISOTT)—a branch of Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS)—is dedicated to advancing organ transplantation in Pakistan especially Liver Transplants.

NISOTT has already established successful living donor programs for liver, kidney, and bone marrow transplantation.

Now, we aim to expand into deceased organ transplantation, providing new hope to patients suffering from end-stage liver disease (ESLD) who don’t have access to a living donor.

Causes of Liver Failure and the Need for Transplantation

Liver failure occurs when the liver loses its ability to function properly. In Pakistan, the most common causes include:

Hepatitis B and C Infections – Chronic viral infections leading to liver inflammation, scarring, and cirrhosis.
Liver Cirrhosis – Irreversible scarring of liver tissue caused by long-term liver damage.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) – Fat buildup in the liver, often associated with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Autoimmune Liver Diseases – Conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks liver cells.
Biliary Atresia (in Children) – A rare condition where bile ducts are absent or damaged. Alcoholic Liver Disease – Liver damage caused by prolonged alcohol consumption.
Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma) often arises from cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis infection.
Acute Liver Failure – Sudden loss of liver function, usually due to toxins, drug overdose (e.g., paracetamol), or severe infections.
Without transplantation, patients face severe complications, including jaundice, fluid retention, internal bleeding, confusion (hepatic encephalopathy), and ultimately, death.

Types of Liver Transplants

Living Donor Liver Transplant

A portion of the liver is donated by a living person, typically a close relative.

The liver regenerates in both the donor and the recipient.

Offers shorter waiting times, as surgery can be planned. Survival rates:

1-year: ~90–95%
5-year: ~70–80%

Deceased Donor Liver Transplant

The liver is donated by a person who has passed away and had previously consented to organ donation.

Provides an opportunity for patients without living donors to receive a life-saving transplant.

Requires a waiting list and finding a compatible match.

Survival rates:

1-year: ~85–90%
5-year: ~60–70%

Both living and deceased donor transplants have excellent outcomes when performed by skilled surgical teams, with survival rates in Pakistan comparable to international standards.

The Importance of Liver Transplantation

Saves Lives – The only cure for end-stage liver disease is transplantation, offering patients a second chance at life.

Improves Quality of Life – Relieves symptoms like fatigue, jaundice, and fluid buildup, allowing patients to lead healthier lives.

Expand Access Through Deceased Donation – Expanding deceased donation programs increases the number of available livers, helping more patients get timely transplants.

Addresses Organ Shortages – Promoting deceased organ donation helps reduce waiting times and saves more lives.

Supports Medical Advancement – Each successful transplant improves medical knowledge, paving the way for more effective treatments and better patient care.

FAQs

Patients with end-stage liver disease, liver cancer, acute liver failure, or inherited liver conditions may require transplantation.

Waiting times vary based on organ availability and patient urgency. Expanding deceased organ donation helps reduce this waiting period.

Under the expertise of Dr. Rashid Bin Hamid and the NISOTT team, success rates are comparable to international standards, with a 90–95% survival rate after 5 years for living donor transplants.

Your decision will be recorded, and your family will be informed to honor your wishes after your passing. Raising awareness about organ donation is crucial to expanding Pakistan’s donor pool.