Manipur Achieves Major Healthcare Milestone as First-Ever Liver Transplant Successfully Performed at ILDS
Imphal, November 15, 2026: Manipur has recorded a significant breakthrough in its healthcare sector with the successful completion of its first-ever liver transplant at the Institute of Liver and Digestive Sciences (ILDS), located at Kwakeithel Heinou-khongnembi, on October 16.
Announcing the achievement during a press conference on Saturday, ILDS Liver Transplantation Programme Director Dr Nongthombam Suraj Kumar said the successful surgery fulfilled a long-awaited goal of the institution and marked an important step towards strengthening advanced medical facilities in the state.
The transplant was performed on a 60-year-old man from Kakching who was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis complicated by multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of primary liver cancer.
According to Dr Suraj, the procedure was conducted through a living-donor transplant, in which approximately 65 per cent of the liver from the patient’s son was used to replace the diseased liver.
A multidisciplinary medical team comprising surgeons, anaesthesiologists, hepatologists, nurses and technical personnel from ILDS successfully carried out the complex operation with specialised assistance from Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.
Providing an update on their recovery, Dr Suraj confirmed that the donor had already been discharged from the hospital, while the recipient was recovering satisfactorily and was expected to return home soon.
He also acknowledged the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur, for issuing the required registration certificate that enabled ILDS to conduct the specialised procedure.
Liver Transplant at ILDS to Cost 60 Per Cent Less
Highlighting the affordability of the treatment, Dr Suraj stated that liver transplantation at ILDS would cost approximately 60 per cent less compared to similar procedures conducted in major metropolitan cities.
He added that the availability of such advanced treatment within Manipur would significantly reduce the financial and logistical burden on patients and their families, who otherwise have to travel outside the state for specialised medical care.
The hospital’s comprehensive treatment package reportedly covers consultations, surgical procedures, intensive care unit (ICU) facilities and other associated medical services.
Speaking about liver health, Dr Suraj further explained that the liver has a remarkable capacity to regenerate and that not all liver-related diseases necessarily require surgical treatment.
The successful completion of Manipur’s first-ever liver transplant at ILDS represents a major advancement in the state’s medical infrastructure and offers new hope to patients requiring specialised liver treatment without having to seek medical assistance outside Manipur.
