India emerges as world leader in field of living donor liver transplantation

New Delhi: India has proudly emerged as No.1 in the World for liver donor liver transplantation (LDLT), by performing the highest number of these transplants in the world. This was shared  during The Annual Conference of The Liver Transplantation Society of India (LTSICON 2025) which is  being held from  November 20 to 23, 2025, in New Delhi.

Leading experts from around the world have  gathered in Delhi for knowledge sharing and  to celebrate India’s remarkable journey from being a developing nation for transplant sciences to becoming a world leader in liver care. LTSICON 2025 is one of the biggest liver transplant conference of the year and its meeting is endorsed by global socities like International Liver Transplantation Society (ILTS) and International Living Donor Liver Transplantation (iLDLT) study group.

As per data from the Global Observatory on Organ Donation and Transplantation ( GODT) and National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO),   India has performed around 5000 liver  transplants in the year 2024  with more than 200 active liver  transplant centres across the country. India’s leadership in the field is driven by a unique combination of world-class infrastructure, unique surgical expertise, ongoing development of strong ethical foundation, and more recently a robust regulatory oversight. The country performs the highest number of living donor liver transplants every year, setting new global benchmarks in success and safety. Every LDLT  conducted in India now follows a stringent, transparent, and legally monitored process, ensuring the safety of both donor and recipient. The entire system is governed by state and national regulatory bodies.   Donors are generally close family members, and each case is scrutinised at multiple levels of medical, psychological, and ethical evaluation before approval. This strict adherence to protocol has helped India achieve one of the highest success rates in the world, often comparable to and sometimes better than many developed nations.

There are still many countries in Asia, Middle East and Africa where there are no robust liver transplant program.  In the past only the wealthy and affordable patients could access liver transplantation in western countries.  A significant factor behind India’s success story is our ability to provide affordable and advanced healthcare. The cost of a liver transplants in India is a fraction of the cost in Western countries, without any compromise on quality or patient outcomes. This has positioned India as a global destination for liver transplant patients from across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, for patients who seek world-class treatment at an affordable cost.

Over the past decade, Indian doctors and institutions have led numerous academic collaborations, research programs, and training initiatives, earning recognition from many international organizations. As per the paper published in National Medical Journal of India (NMJI), more than 2500 Pub-med index publications were authored from India in the subject of liver transplantation and  more than 500 foreign trainees were trained from 52 countries.

 Indian transplant surgeons are assuming leadership roles in international societies — a clear reflection of their growing influence and contribution to the global medical community. Among the most notable examples are Prof. Mohamed Rela, one of the world’s most renowned transplant surgeons who served as the President of International Liver Transplant Society (ILTS) in the past and now serves as the President of the International Living Donor Liver Transplantation (ILDLT)study group ,  Dr. Abhideep Chaudhary, who has recently been appointed as Councillor of ILDLT and Dr Avi Soin and Dr. Prashant Bangui who are serving as councillors in the ILTS. Their achievements symbolize the rise of Indian expertise on the global map.

Dr. Abhideep Chaudhary, President-Elect of the Liver Transplantation Society of India (LTSI) and Organising Chairman of LTSICON 2025, said,“India’s liver transplant ecosystem represents the perfect harmony between science, ethics, and humanity. Every success story here is the result of rigorous protocols, a transparent donor evaluation system, and the commitment of multidisciplinary teams who treat every case like family. What makes India truly special is not just the number of transplants we perform, but the values that guide our process — compassion, accountability, and excellence. Through LTSICON 2025, we aim to strengthen global collaboration, share our learnings, and showcase how India has transformed into a world leader in living donor liver transplantation.”

Adding to the global recognition, Prof. Mohamed Rela, President of ILDLT, praised India’s leadership role in surgical innovation stating,“The Indian model of living donor liver transplantation has become a gold standard for the world. It combines exceptional surgical skill with a moral and legal framework that ensures safety for both donor and recipient. As India continues to lead through innovation and collaboration, we will keep sharing our experiences to enhance global outcomes and make liver transplantation accessible and safe for all.”

LTSICON 2025 serves as a powerful platform for scientific collaboration and exchange of ideas. This year’s conference will bring together more than a thousand liver transplant specialists, hepatologists, and researchers from over 20 countries. The event will feature sessions on advanced surgical innovations, artificial intelligence in liver care, post-transplant care, and ethical challenges in living donor surgery. The focus will also be on developing global guidelines and improving outcomes, making this one of the most influential medical gatherings of the year.

Dr. Sanjiv Saigal, President of the Liver Transplantation Society of India (LTSI), highlighted the rapid evolution of liver transplant programs in the country, saying,“The evolution of liver transplantation in India is a testimony to the nation’s medical maturity. From a handful of centers two decades ago, we now have 200 world-class centres performing transplants with unmatched precision and safety. Our collaboration with international bodies reflects mutual respect and recognition — Indian surgeons are now setting benchmarks in technique, ethics, and outcomes. LTSICON 2025 will celebrate this collective success while paving the path for future breakthroughs.”

Adding further perspective, Dr. Charles Panackel, Secretary – Liver Transplant Society of India (LTSI), emphasized the importance of collaboration and transparency within the Indian transplant community.“ With more than 700 members in LTSI , India’s success in liver transplantation is not the achievement of a few individuals but the result of a united national effort built on shared knowledge, ethical practice, and a passion for excellence. Over the years, our community has grown stronger through open exchange of ideas, continuous medical education, and an unwavering focus on patient safety. As we host LTSICON 2025, our goal is to create even more opportunities for learning and innovation, ensuring that India continues to lead the world not just in numbers but in quality, outcomes, and compassion.”