India has emerged as the world leader in living donor liver transplants, backed by advanced infrastructure, specialised surgical expertise, and strong oversight, experts said on Saturday.
They were speaking at LTSICON 2025, the Annual Conference of The Liver Transplantation Society of India, held in New Delhi from November 20 to 23.
According to the Global Observatory on Organ Donation and Transplantation and the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization, the country performed about 5,000 liver transplants in 2024.
India now has more than 200 active liver transplant centres.
Dr. Abhideep Chaudhary, President-Elect of LTSI, said India's transplant system stands out for its blend of scientific precision and ethical responsibility.
“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,” he said.
Experts noted that India performs the highest number of living donor liver transplants every year. They said the country now sets global standards in terms of safety and success. Each LDLT follows a strict and legally monitored process designed to safeguard both donor and recipient.
The system is overseen by state and national regulatory bodies. Donors are usually close family members. Every case undergoes multiple levels of medical, psychological, and ethical evaluation before approval. This rigorous screening has helped India maintain some of the world’s highest success rates, matching or surpassing many developed countries.
Prof. Mohamed Rela, President of ILDLT, highlighted the country’s advanced surgical skills and its strong legal and moral framework.
He said, “The Indian model of living donor liver transplantation has become a gold standard for the world. 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 has brought together more than 1,000 liver transplant experts, hepatologists, and researchers from over 20 countries, making it a major platform for scientific collaboration and the exchange of new ideas.