Liver-related problems are one of the major health burdens that the world faces. Around two million people die due to liver diseases, and it is one of the top causes of death. Liver disease progresses without giving noticeable symptoms due to this a proper diagnosis and treatment are required. Minor liver problems can be treated with medicine and therapies, but complicated and severe symptoms require a liver transplant. Since Bahrain has no such facility for liver transplant, but they mangae their patient’s requirements by sending in other asian countries like India, Saudi-Arabia, Turkey, etc. In this blog, we will discuss the process of liver transplant in Bahrain.
What is Liver Transplantation?
A liver transplant is one of the important surgical operation in which surgeon remove the infected and damaged part of the liver with a healthy one. A healthy liver can be given by decreasing as well as living donor. Liver transplant is preferred by doctors when a patient is affected with end-stage liver disease. Liver performs various important functions of the body, such as digestion and maintaining of the blood flow. Due to this, it is necessary to diagnose and treat liver disease at the proper time.
When a Patient Needs a Liver Transplant?
Liver transplantation is only done for the patients with acute liver cancer, which can not be managed or treated by medicine. Here are some common conditions when a patient needs liver transplant:
- Liver Tumor: Some Liver cancer, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, requires the transplantation of the liver at an end stage.
- Inherited Liver Disease: Some genetic mutations cause certain conditions, such as Wilson’s disease. This condition affects the liver and requires a liver transplant.
- Chronic Liver Disease: If liver disease is not treated effectively at the right time, then it reaches end-stage.This end-stage chronic disease affects liver badly and requires a transplant so that the body works properly.
- Acute Liver Failure: If liver dysfunction occurs due to injury in the liver. These injuries are often caused due to the overdose of drugs. In this condition, liver transplantation is required to save the patient’s life.
Cost of Liver Transplant in Bahrain and Other Major Countries
Bahrain does not offer facilities of conducting liver transplants. So the cost of liver transplant in Bahrain is not defined. Due to this reason, Bahraini people go to other countries for a liver transplant. The countries, such as India, Turkey, and Thailand, offers best liver transplant hospital at a lower price. The cost of liver transplant in major countries are given below:
| Country | Cost of Liver Transplant (USD) | Cost of Liver Transplant (BHT) |
| India | USD 25,000 – USD 36,000 | BHT 9,423 – BHT 13,570 |
| Thailand | USD 45,000 – USD 75,000 | BHT 16,962 – BHT 28,271 |
| Turkey | USD 45,000 – USD 65,000 | BHT 16.962 – BHT 24,502 |
| South Africa | USD 50,000 – USD 120,000 | BHT 18,847 – BHT 45,234 |
| Ghana | USD 25000- USD 80,000 | BHT 9423 – BHT 30,156 |
| Nigeria | USD 35,000- USD 50,000 | BHT 13,193 – BHT 18,847 |
Cost Breakdown of Liver Transplant Surgery in India
Most Middle Eastern countries’ patients prefer India for medical treatments. Because, India have one of the best hospitals and surgeons who offers advanced treatment at affordable cost. Let’s discuss the cost breakdown of a liver transplant in India:
- Preoperative Diagnosis Cost: It is the starting phase of the treatment. In this phase doctor takes some tests, which make you eligible for the organ transplant. The diagnosis cost can range between USD 2000-USD 3000. This test includes:
- Blood tests
- A chest X-ray
- An electrocardiogram (EKG)
- An abdominal ultrasound
- Donor Cost: It is also one of the important expenses in the whole procedure. The donor charge for liver transplant in India is approximately between $6,000 -$10,000.
- Surgery and Hospital Expenses: Operation and duration of the stay in the hospital is the main expenses of the whole procedure. The surgery and hospital cost in major countries is USD 22,000 – 36,000 USD. It includes the cost of:
- Surgeon’s fees
- Charges for the operating room
- Anesthesia
- However, surgery and hospital expenses depend on location and duration of stay in the hospital.
- Medication Cost: After the liver transplant patient needs some medication for the proper recovery. The doctor advised some immunosuppressive drugs to avoid the rejection of the new liver. The average medication cost in India for a liver transplant is $200-$300 per month. This medicine is very expensive and consists of drugs such as:
- Tacrolimus
- Mycophenolate
- Corticosteroids
- Post Operative Care: After the transplant patient needs some follow-up treatment and consultations for faster recovery. The post-operative cost in India for a liver transplant is $1,800 to $3,000. These visits are necessary to:
- Tackle the complexities
- Update medicine
- To treat new health issues
Factors Affecting The Cost of Liver Transplant
Here are some factors that affect the cost of liver transplant:
- Surgeon Fees: Surgeons with good skills may charge more fees for the liver transplant. However, several hospitals include the fees of surgeon in the total procedure and not charge additional fees from the patients.
- Duration of Stay in Hospital: If a longer duration of stay in hospital are required for the patient than it also add some cost and may affect your financial budget.
- Overall Health of Patient: If the patient has other health complications, then it require extra care and monitoring. This also adds some cost to the patient.
- Insurance Coverage: A health insurance covers some part of the treatment and reduces the financial burden of the patient. It is very important factor because liver transplant costs without insurance can be very costly.
- Hospital: A hospital with premium facilities costs more charge than other hospital for its personalised care and treatment.
- Location: Some locations have a lower cost of living with better facilities. Hospital costs and other facilities are very low in these countries without compromising the services. India and Turkey are among the cheapest places for living as well as for treatment.
Types of Liver Donors and their Charges
There are mainly two types of donors for liver transplantations:
- Living Donor Liver Transplant: In this procedure, a part of liver is donated from a living person, usually from relatives and close ones. So that the liver can regenerate in both the recipient and the donor as well as start doing proper functioning. This procedure is involves the operation and treatment cost for both persons. The cost of a living donor liver transplant in India can range between $20,000 – $40,000.
- Decreased Donor Liver Transplant: In this process, doctors use the liver procured from a deceased person. The cost of a decreased donor liver transplant in India is $28,000 to $42,000.
Some Important Considerations for Liver Transplant Patients
- Government Support: The Bahraini government offers funding and support to its citizens for overseas treatment. The government also offers various schemes for the eligible candidates.
- Medical Tourism Facilities: Countries like India and Turkey offer various facilities for medical tourism patients. Their medical torisam companies help in logistics, travel and hospital arrangement for the patients.
- Insurance Coverage: Confirm with your insurance provider about the availability of insurance coverage for liver transplant in overseas countries. Policies may vary in different countries regarding liver transplant.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Visa Process for the Bahraini Patient
Here are some of the important points a patient must consider for the medical visa:
- Patients should have a passport with at least six months of validity.
- Six passport-sized photographs of the patient are needed.
- An official medical letter from the hospital is required. The letter must contain detailed information about the liver transplant treatment and the expected duration of your stay.
- The patient should have all past reports and current prescriptions regarding their treatment.
- A completed visa application form with paid fees is required to submit by the patients.
- Patient must submit all the documentation that helps in providing the funds to cover all treatment costs.
- The patient should also have a formal consent letter from the donor.
Conclusion
A liver transplant can help a patient to survive for more years. Bahrain did not provide the liver transplant process, that why estimating the cost of liver transplant is not fruitful. However, certain other countries nearby offer liver transplants at a cost-effective price. I hope this blog helps you to understand the important considerations regarding the treatment process of a liver transplant in Bahrain.