The Centre for Liver Disease and Organ Transplant (CLDOT) at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) – one of the first transplant centres in Pakistan- will start functioning by August 13. A team of foreign surgeons has been invited by PIMS to supervise the project, which is envisaged to reduce mortality from liver diseases in the country. The Rs 200 million transplant centre was first announced by former prime minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali while the incumbent prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, pledged the execution of the project and approved funds for it in the form of a one-time grant. An official at CLDOT told Pakistan Today on condition of anonymity that the first transplant operation at CLDOT would be conducted this month under the supervision of experts from the United Kingdom, China and Taiwan. The official also revealed PIMS Professor Dr Nadeem and Sheikh Zayed Hospital Associate Professor Dr Tariq Ali Bangash will assist the foreign surgeons’ team in conducting the liver surgeries and transplants. “We already have a list of eight people requesting liver transplants. However we will first do a number of minor liver surgeries before conducting a transplant at the centre,” said the official. The transplant centre has a 40 bed capacity and will be run by a team of specialists and trained auxiliary staff. The centre has been equipped with modern instruments and houses an operation theatre and an intensive care unit and will also provide free treatment to hepatitis B and C patients.