A 43-year-old resident of Ahmedpur in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has traveled over 1,500 kilometers across the border to Sindh's Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) Hospital in hopes of receiving a liver transplant. The patient cited limited facilities and high costs in Bangladesh as the primary reasons for seeking treatment abroad.
Patient's medical condition and search for treatment
Emrul Hasan explained that his liver failed due to hepatitis, leading to fluid accumulation in his abdomen. With transplant options scarce in his home country, he searched online for treatment abroad. The first result that appeared, with the highest success rate, was the liver transplant centre at GIMS Gambat. Moreover, the treatment was completely free.
To verify the claim, Hasan contacted a patient from outside Pakistan who had undergone a transplant at GIMS three years ago. The patient confirmed that he had his liver transplant at GIMS completely free and is now living a healthy life.
GIMS: A beacon of free transplant services
GIMS is among the few hospitals worldwide that provide both liver and kidney transplants free of charge. Hasan credited the hospital's director, Dr. Rahim Bakhsh Bhatti, for establishing the centre, which now draws patients from across the region. He expressed admiration for Dr. Bhatti's vision, noting that people from Bangladesh are coming to GIMS for treatment because of it.
Hasan booked an online consultation with Dr. Abdul Wahab Dogar at the GIMS Liver Transplant Unit. After reviewing his medical reports, Dr. Dogar confirmed his eligibility for a transplant the following day.
Visa process and arrival at GIMS
With the necessary legal documents and the appointment, Hasan approached the Pakistani embassy in Dhaka. Embassy officer Zia-ul-Hassan assisted him, stating that all organ transplants at GIMS are free and that he would face no difficulty there. Within days, Hasan obtained his visa.
Hasan arrived at GIMS with his wife, who is donating part of her liver for the procedure. On his second day at the hospital, he praised the doctors for their specialization and humane approach, and the staff for their friendly and supportive attitude.
Hospital's perspective on patient care
Dr. Nadeem Bajkani, a liver transplant physician at the GIMS Liver Transplant Unit, emphasized that the hospital's role extends beyond clinical care. He stated that treatment is not just about the illness but about mending broken hopes. Some journeys are not about crossing borders but about finding a new life.
Hasan expressed hope to return to Bangladesh with his wife after a successful operation. He noted that every path taken for a liver or kidney transplant is a story of hope, courage, and the desire to live again.
