Korean Hospital’s Liver Transplant Program Gives New Life to 300 Mongolians

Asan Medical Center in Seoul announced on March 13 that its program to establish living-donor liver transplantation at Mongolia’s First Central Hospital in Ulaanbaatar has reached a significant milestone of 300 successful procedures since its inception in 2010. (Image courtesy of Asan Medical Center)

SEOUL, March 14 (Korea Bizwire) — In Mongolia, where liver cancer rates are the highest in the world, a 15-year partnership with a South Korean hospital has enabled 300 patients to receive life-saving liver transplants without leaving their country.

Asan Medical Center in Seoul announced on March 13 that its program to establish living-donor liver transplantation at Mongolia’s First Central Hospital in Ulaanbaatar has reached a significant milestone of 300 successful procedures since its inception in 2010.

The initiative addresses a critical healthcare gap in Mongolia, which according to the World Cancer Research Fund has the world’s highest liver cancer incidence and mortality rates. In 2022, the country recorded 96.1 new liver cancer cases per 100,000 people, leading global statistics.

Before the program’s establishment, Mongolian patients requiring liver transplants had to seek treatment abroad, an option available only to a fortunate few. Recognizing this national healthcare crisis, the Mongolian government approached Asan Medical Center in late 2009 for assistance.

The Korean hospital implemented a three-phase project: training Mongolian medical staff, conducting surgeries with local teams, and helping establish an independent transplant program. Dr. Lee Sung-gyu, a world-renowned liver transplant surgeon at Asan Medical Center, personally participated in Mongolia’s first living-donor liver transplant in 2011 and has since made 20 visits to the country. Over 15 years, 214 Korean medical professionals have been dispatched to Mongolia.

The program achieved another milestone last month when Mongolian surgeons, assisted by Asan Medical Center professors Jung Dong-hwan and Kang Woo-hyoung, successfully performed their first laparoscopic donor hepatectomy for transplantation. Additionally, 192 Mongolian medical professionals have received training in Korea.

The Asan Welfare Foundation and Asan Medical Center covered all costs, including travel expenses for medical teams and equipment upgrades at the Mongolian facility.

“When we first partnered with the Mongolian government, the country lacked both the technology and equipment for liver transplantation, forcing patients to seek treatment overseas,” Lee said. “It’s deeply moving to see how our team’s 15-year effort has given new life to so many patients.”

The program has been so successful that Mongolia’s First Central Hospital is now capable of teaching transplant procedures to other hospitals in the country, according to Asan Medical Center officials.

Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)