In Kyrgyzstan, over 100 people need liver transplants, but there are no donors

Kyrgyzstan faces a critical shortage of liver donors, with an estimated 100 to 120 individuals requiring transplants in a population of 7 million. The nation has started performing transplant surgeries, but the scarcity of donors presents a significant hurdle.

Ernis Tilekov, head of a department at the National Surgical Center, highlighted the issue on "Birinchi Radio." He noted that while around 600 patients are registered at the National Hospital post-liver transplant, the vast majority have undergone procedures abroad, primarily in India and Turkey, as well as Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

“

In those countries where cadaveric donation is permitted, there are a very large number of operations and high success rates. Among the CIS, Belarus and Russia are leaders. Kazakhstan is also moving forward by leaps and bounds. Transplantology is developing well in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. If we have the Turkish and Russian schools, then Tajikistan has the Iranian one, and the Iranian side trains them for free. I was in Tajikistan, they do about 100 transplants a year, they have solved their internal needs, they operate themselves.

Tilekov acknowledged that Kyrgyzstan lags behind other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in transplantology. He pointed to Belarus and Russia as leaders in the field, with Kazakhstan also making rapid progress. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are also developing their programs, with Tajikistan benefiting from free training from Iran.

Despite the challenges, Tilekov expressed optimism, citing the enthusiasm of young doctors eager to specialize in transplantology. He hopes that within a year, Kyrgyzstan will be able to perform these complex surgeries independently, reducing reliance on foreign expertise and providing essential care to its citizens.

“

But there is already a foundation, there is enthusiasm. Young guys want to become transplantologists, although it is very hard work. I hope that in a year we will be able to operate independently, without outside help, and provide assistance to our citizens.