Deceased Donor Liver Transplant in Delhi

Organ Allocation and the MELD Score System

How Are Deceased Donor Livers Allocated in India?

Organ allocation in India is governed by NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation). Priority for a deceased donor liver is decided by:

• MELD score (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease): a scale from 6 to 40 that predicts three-month survival. A higher score means a more urgent need and a higher position on the list.
• Medical urgency: critical cases such as acute liver failure receive top priority.
• Geographical proximity: organs are first offered to patients within the same state or region, such as Delhi or Haryana.

Understanding Your MELD Score

Your MELD score is calculated from bilirubin, INR (blood clotting), creatinine and sodium levels. Our transplant team helps you understand your score, how it affects your liver transplant waiting list in India, and how it is likely to change over time. Scores are reviewed regularly, so your position reflects your current condition.

Who Is Eligible for a Deceased Donor Liver Transplant?

Patient Eligibility

• A diagnosis of irreversible liver failure, such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.
• A MELD score of 15 or above, or a recognised exception such as liver cancer within transplant criteria.
• No active, uncontrolled infection or other condition (for example, unstable heart disease) that would make surgery unsafe.

Donor Eligibility

• A brain-dead donor with consent from the family or through the organ donor registry.
• Generally aged between 5 and 70 years, with a healthy liver confirmed through clinical and laboratory assessment.
• No history of chronic liver disease, cancer, or transmissible infection such as HIV or active hepatitis.

The Deceased Donor Transplant Process

Step 1: Waitlist Registration

We calculate your MELD score from your medical reports and complete your NOTTO registration, handling the paperwork on your behalf.

Step 2: Organ Matching

When a donor liver becomes available, NOTTO's allocation system matches it to the most suitable and most urgent patient in the region. The average waiting time at our centre is around 4 to 8 months, depending on your MELD score and blood group.

Step 3: Surgery and Recovery

The transplant is performed by Dr. Ashish George's team and takes roughly 6 to 12 hours. Most patients spend 7 to 10 days in hospital, followed by a recovery period of about three months. You will begin immunosuppressive therapy to prevent rejection, supported by close follow-up.

Patients with combined liver and kidney failure may be evaluated for a combined liver and kidney transplant, and children requiring a deceased donor organ are cared for through our paediatric liver transplant programme.

Cost of a Deceased Donor Liver Transplant in Delhi

A deceased donor liver transplant at our centre typically costs in the range of ₹25 to ₹35 lakh, covering surgery, hospital stay and initial post-transplant care. The exact figure depends on your condition, length of stay and any complications. We offer insurance support and EMI options, and our team gives you a clear, itemised estimate before you proceed.

Why Delhi and Gurgaon for Liver Transplants?

A NOTTO hub.

Delhi NCR has one of India's highest levels of deceased donor organ availability, with allocation streamlined through NOTTO's regional coordination.

Advanced infrastructure.

Round-the-clock organ retrieval teams, certified ICUs for donor maintenance and post-transplant care, and dedicated transplant theatres with modern organ preservation systems.

Skilled transplant surgeons.

More than 15 years of experience in complex deceased donor transplants, with specialist teams for both adult and paediatric patients and training from leading international centres.

Our Results

• 500+ deceased donor liver transplants performed since 2015
• 90% one-year survival, above the national average
• 85% of patients return to normal life within a year of transplant