Punjab has achieved a major milestone in public healthcare by successfully conducting the first liver transplant in the state at the Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS), SAS Nagar. With this achievement, Punjab has become one of the few states in the country where such a complex and expensive life-saving procedure is now available at a government-run medical institution.
Until now, liver transplants were largely limited to costly private hospitals in metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. For patients from Punjab, this meant long-distance travel, high treatment costs, emotional stress and years of financial burden. For the first time since Independence, the Punjab Government has ensured that this advanced medical service is accessible within the state through a public healthcare system.
The successful transplant marks a significant shift in Punjab’s healthcare approach. It reflects a move away from dependence on other states towards building strong in-state medical capacity. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the focus has been placed on strengthening government institutions so that citizens do not have to rely on private hospitals for critical treatment.
Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh described the achievement as a historic step for the state. He said the government is committed to developing Institutes of Excellence that provide world-class healthcare to common people. According to him, the successful liver transplant at PILBS ensures that patients in Punjab can now receive advanced liver care without leaving the state.
Punjab faces a serious public health challenge related to liver diseases. The prevalence of Hepatitis C in the state is significantly higher than the national average, with estimates ranging between 0.56 percent and 3.6 percent, compared to around 0.3 percent nationally. Hepatitis B also affects about 1 to 1.5 percent of the population. High alcohol consumption in the state further contributes to liver cirrhosis, with alcohol-related liver disease accounting for a large share of cases.
For years, this crisis remained largely unaddressed. Many patients were forced to seek treatment outside Punjab, often pushing families into deep debt and causing loss of livelihood. Liver transplants remained out of reach for middle- and low-income families due to high costs and limited access.
The introduction of liver transplant services at PILBS has filled this long-standing gap. Patients who had lost hope due to financial and logistical barriers now have access to treatment closer to home. The move is expected to significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses and provide better family support during treatment and recovery.
PILBS has been developed as a specialised government institution offering comprehensive liver and urinary disease care. It provides hepatology, gastroenterology, advanced diagnostics, critical care, hepato-biliary surgery, transplant services and post-transplant follow-up under one roof. The successful transplant confirms that these systems are fully functional and clinically integrated, not merely planned on paper.
The achievement also opens the door for future developments. It strengthens Punjab’s tertiary healthcare system, creates opportunities for medical training within the state, and supports the development of a structured referral network across districts. It is also expected to support ongoing efforts to control and eliminate Hepatitis B and C through early diagnosis and timely intervention.
With this step, Punjab has demonstrated that strong political will, sustained funding and administrative support can enable government hospitals to deliver results comparable to leading private institutions. The successful liver transplant at PILBS stands as a clear example of how focused governance can translate into meaningful outcomes for public health and save countless lives.
