Latvian Television reported last week that the Health Inspectorate is planning to evaluate all liver transplants carried out at the hospital, as eight out of a total of 13 operations have failed. Meanwhile the operations will be stopped until the team can be properly trained and the skill level is maintained, said Muciņš.
"In general, colleagues have put their hearts in place, all their capabilities, and skill to make the operations successful. And there are also successful operations that we are pleased to have. But unfortunately, in many cases, operations do not satisfy us. We have decided to stop this form of transplantation right now until we create a stable team and re-establish the training cycle, ensure a stable flow of patients,” the hospital manager said.
Muciņš said there was a major challenge in keeping the liver transplant team and in providing them with adequate regular training. In Latvia, because of the poor availability of health care, patients are in a more severe condition, which is an additional risk for such operations.
Liver transplantation is usually done as a matter of urgency when a donor organ is obtained. As a result, the team often has to work nights and holidays. Given that they also work in other jobs, it's a problem.
There are also not enough patients at the hospital. To maintain skills, it would take 20 patients a year, but there are only three or four of them at the hospital, said Muciņš. The hospital manager believes that the patient flow needed could be provided with better accessibility to healthcare.
According to Muciņš, liver transplants would be stopped for about a year or more. There will be negotiations with industry leaders on how to “restart this event” and ensure the sustainability of the team. Investment and time for training are therefore needed. Muciņš stressed that the liver transplant team should only work at the hospital to be successful. That would require additional funding.
