KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 (Bernama) — The recent success of Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) in performing a life-saving liver transplant on a four-month-old baby boy, the youngest liver transplant recipient in Malaysia, marked a major milestone in the nation’s medical history.
Universiti Malaya (UM) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said that he had visited the baby and met the parents, and expressed his deep pride and appreciation for the commitment, expertise, resilience and fighting spirit of the entire medical and surgical team at UMMC.
“This extraordinary success demonstrates world-class expertise, clinical precision at critical moments, as well as the strength of teamwork underpinned by humanitarian values and professional responsibility,” he said in a statement today.
He further emphasised that the achievement represents not only a clinical success, but also clear evidence of how UM’s commitment to world-class research has been translated into real impact for patients.
The clinical approach and treatment framework applied in the case were based on research findings published in the international journal Pediatric Surgery International, he noted.
“These UM research outcomes have been referenced and adopted globally, and have now proven successful in saving lives through clinical implementation at UMMC.
“This reflects the spirit of Universiti Malaya, where high-quality research, innovation and the highest global standards are reinforced within clinical practice for the benefit of Malaysia and the world,” he said.
Following the success of the liver transplant surgery that saved the life of the four-month-old baby, Noor Azuan also announced that UM will expand the number of operating theatres at the UMMC, while strengthening infrastructure, critical care facilities and support systems for specialised medical teams.
The announcement was made during a special appreciation ceremony hosted by the vice-chancellor to honour the UMMC multidisciplinary team involved in the exceptionally high-risk and highly complex surgery on Nov 25, last year.
He said the commitment will ensure UM’s doctors, surgeons, nurses, and allied healthcare professionals continue to be empowered with the best facilities and support, enabling them to serve the people, save lives and contribute positively to the well-being of society and the nation.
Meanwhile, UMMC director Prof Dr Mohd Zulkiflee Abu Bakar said the infant is the youngest liver transplant recipient in Malaysia, weighing 6.2 kilogrammes, hence setting a new milestone in the nation’s medical history.
“The infant suffered acute liver failure and collapsed just minutes before the surgery commenced, requiring intensive treatment and resuscitation efforts for more than an hour in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
“After the medical team successfully stabilised him, a bold and critical clinical decision was made to proceed with the surgery, a decision that ultimately saved his life,” he said.
The infant’s father, Mr Tan Hock Siong, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all UMMC staff involved in his child’s care and treatment and conveyed his sincere hope that his baby will continue to recover and remain healthy.
— BERNAMA