Rising Awareness and Living Donations Drive Growth of Liver Transplants in North India
As liver disease rapidly escalates into a major public health challenge in Uttar Pradesh, a visible shift is emerging in how patients and families perceive liver transplantation. Increased awareness, early diagnosis, and growing acceptance of living liver donation are encouraging more people to come forward for timely and definitive treatment.
India witnesses an estimated 2.5–3 lakh deaths annually due to liver diseases and cirrhosis, making it the 8th leading cause of death, up from the 10th position a decade ago. The situation is particularly severe in Uttar Pradesh. Despite housing nearly 17% of India’s population, the state records an estimated 50,000–60,000 liver-related deaths every year, yet performs only 200–250 liver transplants annually, most of them concentrated in NCR. UP currently has only a handful of liver transplant centres, forcing a majority of patients to travel outside the state for life-saving treatment.
Dr. Abhishek Yadav, Senior Director & Head – Liver Transplant & HPB Surgery, ApolloMedics Hospital said, Adding to the burden is the rapid rise of Fatty Liver Disease, now affecting 30–35% of the population, with prevalence reaching up to 50% in some regions, often progressing silently to cirrhosis and liver failure. Clinicians, however, note a positive trend — patients are increasingly seeking help earlier and are more open to liver transplantation as a safe and effective treatment option.
Addressing this critical gap in access and continuity of care, Apollomedics Super Specialty Hospital, Lucknow, has consolidated all liver-related specialties, surgeons, and infrastructure under one roof, offering comprehensive liver care including diagnosis, medical management, complex Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) surgery, and liver transplantation.
Apollomedics is also among the very few centres in Uttar Pradesh equipped to perform pediatric liver transplants, extending advanced transplant care to children with end-stage liver disease. In addition, the hospital has dedicated infrastructure, trained teams, and round-the-clock readiness to undertake emergency liver transplants, a critical capability in cases of acute liver failure where rapid intervention can be life-saving. Clinical outcomes at the centre are aligned with leading national benchmarks, with an overall success rate exceeding 95%.
Dr. Jayendra Shukla, Consultant, Gastroenterology Liver disease has quietly become one of India’s biggest killers. In Uttar Pradesh, the challenge is not just the disease burden but delayed referrals and limited access to transplant-ready facilities. The encouraging change we now see is that people are no longer as fearful of liver transplantation as they once were. Awareness has increased significantly, families are coming forward for living donation, and patients are reaching transplant centres earlier. The availability of pediatric and emergency liver transplant services further improves survival, especially in critically ill patients where every hour counts.”
Dr. Rajeev Ranjan Singh, Director, Gastroenterology, Said, The liver programme is driven by a multidisciplinary team comprising gastroenterologists, liver transplant and HPB surgeons, anaesthetists, intensivists, pediatric specialists, and transplant coordinators, ensuring seamless care across the entire treatment continuum. As a result we have successfully performed more than seven liver transplants in the past three months — among the highest reported by any healthcare facility in the region.
Dr. Utkarsh Srivastava, Consultant – Liver Transplant & Gastro Surgery, said,
“Liver disease management is complex and time-sensitive. Earlier, hesitation and lack of awareness often resulted in missed opportunities for timely intervention. Today, improved counselling and information have helped patients and families understand that liver transplantation is a proven and safe treatment option. Having adult, pediatric, and emergency transplant capabilities within a single integrated programme allows faster decisions, better coordination, and improved outcomes.”
Dr. Mayank Somani, MD & CEO, Apollomedics Super Specialty Hospital, added,
“We are witnessing a positive shift in public mindset towards liver transplantation and living donation in Uttar Pradesh. As awareness grows, it becomes imperative to strengthen capacity for advanced and time-critical services such as pediatric and emergency liver transplants closer to home. Backed by Apollo’s network of over 75 hospitals across India, Apollomedics is committed to supporting this evolving healthcare landscape while reducing both the financial and emotional burden on patients and their families.”
With Lucknow emerging as a key medical hub, Apollomedics’ comprehensive liver services are well positioned to support the rising demand for advanced liver care, strengthening access to transplantation for both adult and pediatric patients across Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states.
