Kuala lumpur: The success of Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) in performing a liver transplant on a four-month-old baby boy last November underscores Malaysia’s medical capabilities, noted Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The infant, weighing just 6.2 kilograms, was suffering from liver failure and urgently needed a transplant from his mother on November 25.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the procedure faced unexpected challenges when the baby’s heart stopped just minutes before the surgery was set to begin, creating a tense atmosphere in the UMMC Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. The medical team engaged in a critical resuscitation effort, with the baby’s life hanging in the balance for an hour. Demonstrating exceptional clinical judgment, they not only stabilized the child but also decided to proceed with the delicate surgery.

Dr Dzulkefly highlighted the complexity and risk involved in the procedure, particularly due to the baby’s fragile blood vessels. He credited the success of the liver transplant to the skill and expertise of the surgeons, anaesthetists, and nurses at UMMC. He emphasized the need for a robust support system and increased public awareness to encourage organ donation.

The minister expressed his commitment to advancing the National Organ Transplant Agenda 2026, which seeks to enhance organ transplantation services and boost public registration as organ donors in Malaysia. He also extended his prayers for the child’s swift recovery and future well-being.