In a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s healthcare sector, the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) has joined the ranks of the world’s largest transplant centers by successfully completing 1,000 liver transplants.
PKLI was founded in 2017 as the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who, during his tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab, dreamt of creating a world-class facility where Pakistanis could receive international-standard treatment for kidney and liver diseases without traveling abroad.
Today, that dream stands realised. According to official data, PKLI has treated over four million patients, performing 1,000 liver transplants, 1,100 kidney transplants, and 14 bone marrow transplants. Around 80 percent of patients are treated completely free of cost, while those who pay incur costs up to Rs 6 million, far below regional and international rates.
Experts note that a liver transplant abroad can cost between USD 70,000 and 150,000, excluding travel and accommodation. In the past, nearly 500 Pakistani patients sought transplants annually in India, spending millions of rupees and often facing substandard conditions. PKLI has not only saved billions in foreign exchange but also provided dignified and affordable care at home.
Beyond transplantation, PKLI’s departments of urology, gastroenterology, nephrology, interventional radiology, advanced endoscopy, and robotic surgery have gained international recognition.