DEVELOPMENT OF LIVER TRANSPLANTATION IN UZBEKISTAN

Liver transplantation in Uzbekistan has evolved into a vital component of the national healthcare system, offering hope to patients with end-stage liver disease. Since the first successful liver transplant in 2018, Uzbekistan has made substantial progress in developing transplant programs, establishing state-of-the-art facilities, and training specialized medical professionals. Pioneering efforts by local surgeons, alongside international collaborations, have improved the quality and accessibility of living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Innovations such as laparoscopic liver donation, deceased donor programs, organ perfusion systems, and robotic-assisted donor surgeries are on the horizon, promising to enhance surgical outcomes and donor safety. Despite cultural, financial, and professional challenges, Uzbekistan’s commitment to advancing liver transplantation is evident through government support, public awareness campaigns, and protocol development for donor safety and complication management. This article highlights the milestones, challenges, and future prospects of liver transplantation in Uzbekistan,