Liver Transplant Services Halted at Bhaktapur Center

The Shahid Dharmabhakta National Organ Transplant Center in Bhaktapur has temporarily stopped liver transplant services following the retirement of its sole liver transplant specialist, Dr. Pukar Chandra Shrestha, in Saun (July–August).

The Center, which had been providing liver transplants since 2073 BS, recorded 34 successful procedures, initially assisted by foreign specialists and later fully conducted by the domestic team.

Executive Director Dr. Kalpana Shrestha said the Health and Population Ministry has been informed and is actively working to fill the specialist gap. Patients in need of liver transplants are currently being referred to other facilities, with Tribhuvan University being the only other government-run center offering such services.

The temporary suspension highlights the urgent need to address specialist shortages in critical medical fields.