Bilharzia Hepatic Fibrosis Treatment in India

Bilharzia hepatic fibrosis treatment in India – Sample Opinion for Medical Case Received // Case Number – BF/2025/2012 // 57 year old male // Mozambique

Case Summary: According to the medical reports of Mr. ES, 57-year-old gentleman from Mozambique, it is suggestive to have bilharzia hepatic fibrosis. The shared reports have very limited information; thus, an investigative confirmation of diagnosis is essential.

Bilharzia Hepatic Fibrosis or Schistosomiasis– traps eggs in the liver, triggering scar tissue (fibrosis). This hardens liver pathways (pipe stem fibrosis), blocking blood flow. Over time, it can cause portal hypertension (high liver blood pressure), leading to serious complications like bleeding or spleen enlargement. Early treatment prevents severe damage. In later stages, the liver gets completely fibrotic and may stop to work.

Investigations needed to confirm the diagnosis and plan the treatment: – Patient will need to go through detailed physical and clinical investigations which will include CT or MRI Abdomen & pelvis, Liver Biopsy, ultrasound whole abdomen, LFT, PT INR, CA 19-9, AFP, Auto-immune- ANA(IF), CMV Igg, Virology markers, urine testsand other related investigations to confirm the above diagnosis.

Possible Line of Treatment / Plan: The final treatment plan will be decided only after investigations. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, we will have 2 scenarios –

1. If the Liver can be salvaged, i.e., the liver is not completely damaged, in such a case, we will have to go with aggressive medications and medical management.
2. If the liver is completely fibrotic and has not been working, in such a case, the patient may possibly require Liver Transplant Surgery.

The medical management, if it comes out as an option, will include the use of drugs like albendazole or praziquantel to clear the parasites and then go for liver repair drugs.

Liver Transplantation isa surgical procedure performed to replace a diseased liver with a healthy liver from another person. The liver may come from a deceased organ donor or from a living donor. If it comes from a living family member, it is called a living organ donor. Family members or individuals who are unrelated but make a good match may be able to donate a portion of their liver(same blood group / O group). In case they are not blood group compatible, the patient may need to undergo Electrophoresis therapy before liver transplant. The transplant success rate is better if the donor is from the immediate family. Donor has to be between 18 to 45 years as required by the human transplant act of our country.

Kindly note: The advised treatment plan is solely based on the reports shared with us; the final line of treatment will be decided post clinical and physical evaluations of the patient on arrival only.

We’d recommend the following hospitals having Top Liver transplant doctors as below–

1. Amrita Hospitals – Faridabad, Delhi NCR // Dr. S Sudhindran will be the treating doctor

2.  Max Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital -Mumbai // Dr. Hardik R. Shah will be the treating doctor

3. Sanar International Hospital – Guru gram, NCR // Dr. Shailendra Lalwaniwill be the treating doctor
4. Fortis Healthcare Limited-Mulund  // Dr. Vikram Raut will be the treating doctor
5. KIMS Hospitals-Hyderabad // Dr. Sachin Dagawill be the treating doctor

6. Yashoda Super Speciality Hospitals– Delhi NCR //Dr. Sanjay Singh Negi will be the treating

Estimated Costs of Liver Transplant :

The estimated cost for a detailed evaluation will be approximately. USD 1200-2000 on OPD basis for both the patient (and the donor in case of Liver Transplant).

The estimated cost of Medical Management with 5-6 days of hospital admission and then follow-up treatment as an outpatient for another 2 weeks – Between $2600 and $3000.

The estimated cost of Liver Transplant Surgery at various hospitals is as below:

Note –The given cost is a tentative cost based on the shared information. The exact line of treatment and cost can be provided only after reviewing the latest investigation. Kindly note that cost may change in case the diagnosis or line of treatment changes or due to any other prevailing situation.
 

Stay in India:  For Liver Transplant – The Patient will require 1 week to finish investigations. If a Liver transplant, then hospital stay will be for 21 days for the patient & 9-10 days for the donor. Post-transplant, the patient will have to stay in India for about 4-5 weeks for follow-up.

Inclusions of the mentioned cost for – Liver Transplant:
 
1. Full standard evaluation tests for the recipient & one donor 
2. Donor & Recipient surgery
3. Investigations & Bedside Procedures for both donor & recipient
4. 18 days hospital stay for the recipient & 10 days hospital stay for the donor (beginning the day before the operation).
5. All meals for the patient and the attendant as per the available menu while in the hospital.
6. The cost of Consumables and Medicines while in the hospital.
7. The fee for the dietitian and nursing while in the hospital.
8. It will also include complimentary airport transfers

Exclusions: 

1.      Any consultation other than in discussion
2.      Extended stay.
3.      The stay of the attendant while the patient is in the ICU.
4.      Covid Tests

On Arrival:

The patient and his attendants will be received at the airport by our Representative. Apart from the medical and nursing team, one Case Manager will take care of all the needs. We shall also assist them with the reasonably charged accommodation near the hospital.  Patient and attendant may arrange 30-35 USD per day toward accommodation at the Guest House.

Other necessary details for Liver Transplantation:

• Patient would need to have a blood group compatible healthy Liver donor from their family. In case they are not blood group compatible they may require to undergo Electrophoresis therapy before liver transplant.   (The success rates of transplant are better if the donor is from the immediate family.)
• Donor has to be between 18 to 45 years as required by the human transplant act of our country.
• The donor and recipient will have to undergo detailed tests, which could take 4 to 5 days (depending on what is found on investigations), prior to transplantation.
• Documentary evidence of relationship e.g., relevant birth certificate.
• Documentary evidence of identity and residence of the proposed donor e.g. Passport or Driving License or Bank Account and family photograph depicting the proposed donor and the proposed recipient along with another near relative.
• Donor’s first relative should be available before the liver transplantation committee meeting to give consent.  In case the donor is married then the spouse has to be present as an attendant. In case the donor is unmarried then the (father, mother, real brother or sister) has to be present as an attendant.
• The country embassy in Delhi will certify all the proofs of certificates and documents of relationship between the donor and the recipient. Transplantation can be done only after the govt. authorization committee approves the donor.
• Patient and the Donor should come on the Medical Visa.

 
Disclaimer – This is a sample opinion for a better understanding of non-medicals and patients. The above is an opinion which has been accumulated from the many good but different opinions received from multiple doctors. The treating doctor is the best person to give you accurate information.  The actual Treatment Plan may vary from case to case.