Liver transplant costs lower
27/4/2004 18:27
With medical technology improving, costs of liver transplants at local
hospitals have been reduced to 170,000 yuan (US$20,556) from 400,000 yuan three
years ago, today's Shanghai Morning Post reported.
The cost will be reduced
even more, to 150,000 yuan, said Professor Peng Zhihai, director of Shanghai No.
1 People's Hospital's liver transplant section.
The hospital performed the
transplant surgery to its 200th patient a month ago.
According to Peng, a
liver transplant is the most effective way to save patients developing liver
tumors or hepato-cirrhosis. But the high cost has prevented many patients from
having the operation.
Costs of the operation vary from 250,000 to 300,000
yuan at China's hospitals and rise to US$100,000 at overseas medical
institutions.
In 2001, Shanghai No. 1 People's Hospital operated on seven
patients, charging on average 400,000 yuan. Since then, it has lead local
hospitals in liver transplants.
In 2003, it transplanted livers to 53
patients, with the fee dropping to an average 300,000 yuan.
From January to
April this year, it performed transplants on 37 patients, and the cost fell to
170,000 yuan.
Jane Chen / Shanghai Daily news
|
