Living donor Liver Transplantation in Taiwan

Me and my wife, Sweet, inquired regarding liver transplantation in one of the hospital in Taiwan performing the procedure. Here's a brief summary to give you a background regarding pediatric liver transplantation program mailed to us by the hospital's International Patient Coordinator - Ms. Linda Lin. 

- Total cost that the hospital requires before the patient arrives in Taiwan: NT$ 1.5 million (NT$ 1 = Phil Peso 1.5); that's roughly about Phil. Peso 2 million (depending on current exchange rate). This amount includes both recipient and donor operations. This amount covers operations, hospitalization (3-in-a-room + ICU), medications, and diagnostic tests. This amount is for uncomplicated cases. If this cost is not consumed, all unused money will be refunded. This amount EXCLUDES all travel and living expenses while your family is in Taiwan.

- The family will stay in Taiwan for around 3 months. There may be a hostel (semi-furnished with kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom, telephone, cable TV, refrigerator, hot and cold water) available within the hospital compound. Rent is around NT$ 770/day or NT$20,000/month. Payment for the hostel is not included in the NT$ 1.5 million.

- Recipient will stay in ICU after the transplant for 2-3 weeks, 2-3 weeks in the ward, then 1 month in the house.

- Donor and Recipient must have same blood type or ABO compatible. Donor must be negative for HBV or HCV. Donor must be within 5th degree of consanguinity with the recipient or the recipient's spouse. Donor must be at least above 20 years of age. 

The following are the preliminary compatibility tests of the Recipient/receiver (JoB Tyrese), and the living Donor (either Thristian or Sweet):  

For JoB Tyrese (recipient/receiver) 

    - Name, age, gender, body weight and height, blood type, birth date

    - Updated Clinical abstract, operations and treatments, medications, 
       reason for transplant

    - Hepatitis profile: HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, anti-HCV

    - Blood Chemistry: CBC, Albumin, AST, ALT, Total and Direct Bilirubin, 
      Creatinine, INR/Protime, AFP

    - Liver Ultrasound

    - Liver CT Angiogram

    For Thristian or Sweet (donor)

- Name, age, gender, body weight and height, blood type, 
   birth date, relationship with recipient

   - Updated Clinical abstract, operations and treatments, medications, 
      reason for transplant

   - Hepatitis profile: HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, anti-HCV

   - Blood Chemistry: CBC, Albumin, AST, ALT, Total and Direct Bilirubin, 
     Creatinine, INR/Protime, AFP

   - Liver Ultrasound

   - Liver CT Angiogram

The patient who underwent liver transplantation will need to take immunosuppressants (medicine of anti-rejection) for lifetime to prevent rejection of their liver. Regular checkup is requested for liver transplant patient. In Taiwan, the estimated cost of monthly immunosuppressants and checkup is around NT. 15,000. Please also give this matter your consideration.

   *The items and fees listed above are for reference only. All necessary checkups, procedures and treatments    should be based on doctor’s final diagnoses, and the charge will be according to hospital’s fee schedule.