frequently asked questions
What is a liver transplant?
When does a child need a liver transplant?
What are the types of liver transplants available?
There are two main types:
Deceased donor transplant: The liver comes from a person who has passed away but had healthy organs.
Living donor transplant: A living person, often a family member, donates a portion of their liver, which grows to full size in both the donor and recipient after surgery.
At present, only Wits Donald Gordon is able to offer living donor liver transplantation, while both centres offer deceased donor transplantation.
How are paediatric liver transplants performed in South Africa?
South Africa has specialised hospitals, such as Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Johannesburg and Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, with teams of highly skilled surgeons, nurses, and paediatric specialists who handle paediatric liver transplants. The process follows international standards and is supported by multidisciplinary teams to ensure the best outcomes.
What is the waiting period for a liver transplant?
The waiting time depends on several factors:
- The availability of suitable donors.
- The urgency of your child’s condition (the sickest children are prioritised).
- The size and blood type of the liver required.
In most cases, a living donor may shorten the waiting time.
Who can be a living donor for a child?
Why should I consider a living donor for my child?
- Less time on the waiting list, during which time complications can develop, and your child can become sicker
- Better long-term outcomes
- You can help schedule the time of surgery to suit your family best
How does my child get on the transplant list?
Your child’s doctor will refer them to our unit, where they will be assessed. If they are eligible, they will be placed on the regional waiting list.
What are the risks of a liver transplant?
How successful are liver transplants in children?
What is the recovery process like?
Hospital stay: After the transplant, your child will spend at least 2-4 weeks in the hospital for monitoring and recovery.
Follow-up care: Regular check-ups are required to ensure the liver is functioning well and to adjust medications. Your child will be on anti-rejection medications for life.
Home care: You will need to monitor your child for signs of infection or rejection, such as fever, fatigue, or jaundice, and keep in close contact with your medical team.
Who pays for the transplant in South Africa?
Funded patients are often covered through their medical scheme under prescribed minimum benefit cover; however, private patients should consult their medical aid for coverage details. This cover extends to the costs of the living donor operation if a possible donor is found. But, transplant is the medical aid covers a long and difficult process and not all costs. Some finances will be needed to cover out-of-pocket expenses such as transport to and from the hospital.
If I am not on medical aid, can my child still get a transplant?
There are units in the government sector at both Charlotte Maxeke Academic and Red Cross Children’s Hospital that are responsible for looking after state patients who need a liver transplant. Ask your local provider to make contact and refer you to one of these units to see if your child is a candidate for transplant.
How do I talk to my child about their liver transplant?
It’s essential to talk to your child in an age-appropriate way, explaining why they need the surgery and what will happen before and after. The medical and allied health team can help you provide information to your child.
How can I help raise awareness or support organ donation?
You can:
- Register as an organ donor to help others in need of transplants.
- Participate in awareness campaigns like National Organ Donor Awareness Month (August).
- Share your story with local media or support groups to help normalise organ donation and inspire others to register as donors.
What should I do if I have more questions?
