In the ongoing Gujarat Assembly session, concerns were raised regarding the deaths of patients in the hospital after liver transplants. Initial reports suggested that the mortality rate after liver transplants was higher at Civil Hospital in Asarwa, Ahmedabad.

Responding to that, the state government acknowledged that the mortality rate after liver transplants is 38%.

At the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Center (IKDRC) in Ahmedabad Asarwa Civil hospital, 848 kidney and 140 liver transplants have been performed over the past two years. The government has acknowledged that 28 kidney transplant patients and 54 liver transplant patients died while still in the hospital. This means that 38% of liver transplant recipients at Civil Hospital did not survive.

The Ministry of Health informed the state assembly on Wednesday that Gujarat saw 137 liver transplants 71 in 2023 and 66 in 2024, along with three live liver transplants. Of which, 54 patients died in the hospital. 

The health department of the state noted that an internal committee at the Kidney Institute has reviewed these deaths. The main causes identified include pneumonia, infections, organ rejection, donor-related infections, gallbladder stones, tuberculosis, cancer attacks, portal vein thrombosis (blood clotting), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), circulatory issues, cardiac arrest, critical medical conditions, malnutrition, muscle weakness, and recurrent acute kidney injury.

The report further revealed that in the past two years, 848 kidney transplants were conducted at Civil Hospital – averaging around 35 per month.

Congress MLA Amit Chavda criticised the high mortality rate of liver transplant patients and raised concerns about the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit report, alleging a lack of transparency. 

In response, Rushikesh Patel, the Gujarat Health Minister, stated that the CAG had issued a half-audit para, and the government is in the process of responding to all audit queries.