Media Release
Udupi, Apr 1: Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, a teaching hospital of KMC and a constituent unit of MAHE, has successfully carried out the first deceased donor liver transplant in Udupi district, marking a historic milestone in bringing advanced transplant care to the region.
The life-saving procedure was made possible through an extraordinary act of generosity. In the midst of profound personal loss, a bereaved family chose to donate their loved one’s organs, offering another patient a renewed chance at life. The hospital expressed deep gratitude to the donor and the family for their courage and compassion. Their selfless decision has brought hope to another household and reflects the true spirit of organ donation.
The recipient, a 56-year-old man diagnosed with advanced chronic liver disease and portal hypertension, underwent a detailed multidisciplinary evaluation under the deceased donor transplant programme.
Following careful planning and organ allocation protocols, he underwent a complex liver transplant surgery. Post-operatively, he was managed in a dedicated transplant ICU with structured monitoring and protocol-driven care. His recovery progressed steadily, and he was discharged in a stable condition.
Dr Shiran Shetty, professor in the Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, led the initial evaluation, which revealed that the patient’s liver disease had progressed to a stage where transplantation was the best option for survival and long-term recovery.
Recognising the urgency, Dr Shetty referred the patient to the transplant team led by Dr Jayanth Reddy, lead consultant – HPB & Liver and Pancreatic Transplant Surgery.
The procedure involved a highly coordinated multidisciplinary team, including Dr Bharath Kumar Bhat and his team, along with the ICU team at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. All teams worked closely to ensure timely intervention and the successful completion of the transplant.
All the surgeons, as part of the multidisciplinary transplant team, jointly performed the procedure and coordinated seamlessly to ensure timely intervention. Through this collaborative effort, the patient successfully underwent a deceased donor liver transplant, marking a historic milestone as the first such procedure performed not only at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, but across the entire Udupi district.
Dr Shetty said, “Early recognition and timely referral play a critical role in managing advanced liver disease. We ensured that he was promptly evaluated and referred to the transplant team in Bengaluru, led by Dr Jayanth Reddy. The successful outcome reflects the strength of multidisciplinary collaboration and the growing availability of advanced transplant care for patients in coastal Karnataka, bringing world-class care closer to people.”
Dr Jayanth Reddy said, “This case was highly complex and required meticulous planning, precise surgical execution and strong co-ordination across multiple teams. The success of this deceased donor liver transplant reflects the strength of a well-integrated transplant programme and the commitment of the entire team. Most importantly, it highlights how timely organ donation can transform lives. With this milestone, we are now able to offer advanced liver transplant care closer to patients in coastal Karnataka, reducing the need for them to travel long distances during critical times.”
The Liver Transplant Programme at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, in association with Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, enables patients from Udupi and neighbouring districts to access advanced transplant care closer to home. A dedicated monthly Liver & Transplant Clinic in Manipal facilitates structured evaluation, counselling and long-term follow-up, with senior transplant experts and specialists from allied disciplines providing active support and strengthening access to comprehensive liver transplant care in coastal Karnataka.
Dr Sudhakar Kantipudi, COO – Teaching Hospitals, MAHE Manipal, said the hospital would continue to focus on expanding specialised services. “With this successful transplant, advanced liver care is now available within Udupi district itself. Our focus is not only on clinical excellence but also on making liver transplantation more affordable and accessible to every citizen. Kasturba Hospital is empanelled with major TPAs and insurance providers, and eligible patients can also avail benefits under government health schemes, helping reduce the financial burden and improve access to such life-saving treatments,” he said.
With this landmark first liver transplant in Udupi district, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, has reinforced its commitment to expanding organ transplant services and strengthening organ donation awareness across the region.
Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal; Dr Deepthi Ramachandra, consultant – HPB & Liver and Pancreatic Transplant Surgery; the liver transplant patient; Dr Bharath Bhat, associate professor of Gastroenterology Surgery; and others were present at the press conference.