(
Bernama)About 2,000 to 2,500 Malaysians are detected with chronic liver disease each year.
Given the low donor rate of 0.6 per cent per million population, it is very unlikely for many of them to be able to get a liver transplant.
The Health Ministry's head of National Surgical Service, Datuk Dr Harjit Singh said this was due to the high cost involved, as well as the lack of infrastructure and shortage of specialists and organ donors.
The cost of a liver transplant could range from RM350,000 to RM1 million if done in a private hospital in the country or overseas.
"It is because of the high cost, many liver patients cannot afford the organ transplant," he told reporters after the presentation of Maybank Foundation's contribution to the Selayang Hospital's liver transplant trust fund, here, Tuesday.
