Liver Transplant Cost in Kenya

A liver transplant, also known as hepatic transplantation, replaces the diseased liver with a healthy liver from a donor. The surgery generally takes between 6 to 12 hours.

According to the American Journal of Transplantation study published in 2018, people who have undergone liver transplants have a one-year 89% and 75% five-year survival rate.

Key Takeaways

1. There are four stages of liver conditions: inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure.

2. The cost of a liver transplant depends on the patient's health, age, the hospital, and region.

3. The waiting period for a healthy liver can take several months or more.

What Are the Stages of Liver Disease?

The common conditions that cause liver failure are metabolic disorders and alcoholic or chronic liver conditions such as liver cancer, cirrhosis, biliary atresia, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, amongst others.

There are four stages of liver conditions, from minor to severe:

Stage 1: Inflammation

The liver becomes swollen or inflamed, and if diagnosed earlier, it can repair itself in the early stages of the disease. 

Stage 2: Fibrosis

The untreated inflammation of the liver leads to liver scarring or fibrosis.

Stage 3: Cirrhosis

During this stage, symptoms are more noticeable. You may feel pain and discomfort, fatigue, appetite loss, fluid retention, and an itchy feeling around the liver.

Stage 4: Liver Failure

Since the liver cannot repair itself at this stage, a liver transplant is the only treatment option for recovery.

Unsure about your medical conditions? Request for a comprehensive second medical opinion and get a pre-transplant evaluation.

Why Choose Kenya for Liver Transplantation? 

Kenya is the preferred medical destination for Liver Transplant Surgery in Eastern Africa, with several hospitals providing high-quality Liver Transplant Surgery and patient care at affordable cost.

Here are reasons to choose Kenya for a Liver Transplant: 

- Availability of experienced Liver Transplant Surgeons with expertise in providing liver transplant procedures.

- Hospitals have advanced medical equipment for Liver transplant procedures and world-class facilities in Kenya. 

- Affordable liver transplant cost in Kenya.

- The high success rate of liver transplants provided in hospitals in Kenya. 

- Patients receive Pre-Transplant and Post-Surgery care. 

READ: Everything You Need to Know About Liver DonationProcess in Kenya 
 

Why Liver Transplant is Expensive?

A liver transplant is a major surgery involving experienced liver transplant surgeons and other medical professionals and procedures using high-end instruments, medicines, and medical products.  

Factors affecting the cost of liver transplant are:

- Comprehensive pre-transplant testing and evaluation

- Liver transplant surgery

- Post-operative hospital stays

- Outpatient follow-up testing and care

- Anti-rejection medication

- The transplant surgeon, hepatologist, and anaesthesiologist fees

- Rehabilitation and physical therapy

What is The Cost of a Liver Transplant in Kenya

According to an article published by Nation on Body organs going to waste as patients wait for years, Kenyatta National Hospital announced purchasing a liver aspirator for transplants to help lower the cost of liver transplants to about Sh1 million and Sh3 million. However, the national hospital was short of Sh300 million to operationalise it fully.
 

Cost Comparison to Other Countries

The liver transplant cost depends on the patient's health, age, the hospital, and region.

The average liver transplant cost in the United States is around $600,000, including follow-up care and medications after the procedure.

While the estimated liver transplant cost in India is around $35,500, most hospitals in India offer affordable liver transplant surgery.

Due to the high supply of liver donors, Singapore is the most preferred destination for liver transplants. 

A liver transplant in Singapore can cost between $300,000 and 1 million dollars depending on the hospital stay and the transplant centre. 

The estimated liver transplant cost in Turkey is around $85,000. In contrast, Egypt's average liver transplant cost is approximately 60,000, with a shorter waiting time. 

The estimated liver transplant cost in Germany is around $300,000, and the hospitals in Germany ensure a higher rate of post-operatory success. 

South Africa provides a higher supply of liver donors and a short waiting list with an estimated cost of liver transplants of around $300,000. 

The hospitals in the United Kingdom offer more affordable liver transplants than in the United States of America, with an estimated cost of a liver transplant of around $80,000. 

Saudi Arabia offers a short waiting list with a high supply of liver donors with an estimated cost of around $80,000.