'Ruby Hall Has Been At The Forefront In Delivering High Quality Care In Organ Transplant'

Dr Sheetal Dhadphale Mahajani, Hepatologist, Liver Transplant Physician & In-Charge, Department of Liver Transplant, Ruby Hall Cinic, in an interaction with Mansha Gagneja, throws light on the evolution of liver transplantation techniques and how technology is playing an integral role to bring in better quality and affordability

- Mansha Gagneja

Can you elaborate on how much has the liver transplantation technique evolved since 1960’s?

Liver transplant is the treatment offered to patients suffering from end stage liver disease across the globe. The first liver transplant was done by Late Dr Thomas Starzl in 1963. It took good six to seven years before it was regularly offered to the patients in the US/UK. It was in 1993 when the first transplant was conducted in India. Subsequently, in the 20th century, it was available to Indian patients. However, this treatment modality was available only to patients residing in the metros, mainly Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai.

There was a huge demand for this procedure in Pune and rest of Maharashtra. Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune was able to bring this treatment to Pune in 2013 and set up a liver transplant programme of international repute for patients residing in Pune and rest of Maharashtra apart from Mumbai.

—— First successful liver transplant was conducted in January 2013

—— First combined liver and kidney transplant was conducted in March 2013