THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College is ready for liver transplant surgery. The Medical College Transplant Team presented details of the preparations made in the last two months at the high-level meeting chaired by Health Minister Veena George.

Steps have been taken to start liver transplant surgery at Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Kozhikode Medical Colleges as per the directions of the minister. In the first phase, a liver transplant was successfully performed at Kottayam Medical College. A special committee was appointed to improve the quality of service of medical colleges. In addition, discussions were held on the implementation of liver transplant surgery and an action plan was drawn up as part of it.

Under this action plan, arrangements were made in a timely manner to start free liver transplant surgery at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. The recipient ICU required for liver transplant surgery, the donor ICU and the operation theatre were set up according to the standards. The license for liver transplant surgery has been obtained. The training is being completed by deploying adequate staff. Training for more staff will continue.

The detailed tests of recipients are in progress. Patients eligible for transplantation will be registered after detailed examinations. The procedure for liver transplant surgery will begin once a suitable donor is available. The minister extended her best wishes to the team members working together. The minister promised all support from the government.

Additional chief secretary, department of health, Dr Asha Thomas, department of medical education joint director Dr Thomas Mathew, Medical College Principal Dr Sarah Varghese, Superintendent Dr. Nisaruddin, head of surgical gastroenterology; Dr Ramesh Rajan, Department of Gastroenterology head Dr Krishnadas, head of aAnaesthesia Dr Lynette Morris, Noble Gracious, Intensivist; Anil Sathyadas also attended the meeting.