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The Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS) in Mohali has performed three successful liver transplants in a week, taking the government-run institute’s total to five. Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said the latest procedures marked a step forward in Punjab’s efforts to expand advanced transplant care through its public healthcare system.

The three patients received liver donations from family members. A wife donated part of her liver to her husband, a mother to her daughter and a son to his father.

“These cases are not only stories of medical success but also of love, sacrifice and family bonding. A wife donated to her husband, a mother to her daughter and a son to his father. Such acts of selflessness give new hope and a new lease of life to patients suffering from serious liver ailments," Singh said.

The minister said the government wanted to make advanced and super-speciality treatment available through its own hospitals, reducing the need for patients to seek such care outside Punjab.

Singh said the state government was preparing a hub-and-spoke model to expand liver transplant services across Punjab. Under the plan, PILBS Mohali will serve as the main hub, while government medical colleges will support the network by identifying and evaluating patients, making referrals and providing post-transplant care in their respective regions.

“We are working on a hub-and-spoke model for liver transplant services across Punjab. PILBS Mohali will function as the principal hub, while the Government Medical Colleges will serve as spokes for patient identification, evaluation, referral and post-transplant care closer to their respective regions," he said.

The state is also strengthening its organ transplant infrastructure across government medical institutions. All four government medical colleges are being developed to support the transplant network, Singh said.

He also announced that renal transplant services would soon begin at Mohali and Patiala.

“Renal transplant services will also begin soon at Mohali and Patiala. This will further expand the availability of advanced transplant care within Punjab’s government healthcare system," Singh said.

Singh credited PILBS Director Dr Virendra Singh and his team for carrying out the recent procedures.

“I congratulate Director PILBS Dr. Virendra Singh and the entire team for their dedication, professionalism and coordinated efforts. These achievements show that Punjab’s government hospitals and institutes are steadily developing the expertise and infrastructure needed to undertake complex medical procedures of the highest order," he said.

The institute has also expanded other patient services. Singh said 239 FibroScans were conducted at nominal charges in August, while 139 indoor patients received treatment and care.

PILBS will also add 170 beds, which the minister said would help the institute treat more patients requiring specialised liver and biliary care.

“The addition of 170 beds will further strengthen PILBS and enable it to provide specialised liver and biliary care to a larger number of patients. We will continue to strengthen infrastructure, manpower, equipment and specialised services at our government hospitals and institutes so that quality healthcare reaches every section of society," Singh said.

The minister said the government would continue building specialised medical capabilities within its hospitals and institutes so that people in Punjab can access advanced treatment without having to travel outside the state.

The hub-and-spoke model will expand liver transplant services by designating PILBS Mohali as the main hub, with government medical colleges acting as spokes. These colleges will identify and evaluate patients, make referrals, and provide post-transplant care in their local regions.

Punjab plans to introduce renal transplant services in Mohali and Patiala soon. The state is also developing a hub-and-spoke model for liver transplant services, with PILBS Mohali as the main hub and government medical colleges providing support.