Duhok family seeks answers after liver donor dies in surgery
DUHOK, Kurdistan Region – A family in Duhok is left wondering what happened after Isa Ahmad died donating part of his liver to his brother.
After unsuccessfully seeking medical care abroad for a failing liver, Isa Ahmad, 44, volunteered to donate part of his liver to his brother Nawzad, 41.
“He did so and now he died. The doctor said – what was the word for it – bleeding. They said we could not treat it, and he dies. That is all they said. What can I say to the doctor now?" asked the brothers’ mother.
“You are not meant to worry about the donor as you are concerned about the sick person," said Farhad Mohammed, a relative. He demanded answers from the health authorities.
The transplant was conducted by a visiting American team from the charity Operation HOPE.
Dr. John Thomas, founder of Operation HOPE, praised the records of the doctors on his team, saying he has full trust in their abilities.
“It’s very rare that somebody will die on the table, but it can happen,” he stated, He declined to comment directly on the case.
Dr. Ahmad Mukhtar, head of Duhok's syndicate for surgeons, said the liver transplant is a “risky surgery.”
He said his syndicate along with the health department would form a committee to investigate the matter.
Nawzad, who received a part of his brother’s liver, is still under medical care in hospital. Isa leaves behind his wife and eight children.
Operation HOPE comes to the Kurdistan Region every year. This is Dr. Thomas’ 18th trip, bringing a different team of specialist doctors to conduct consultations and operations. They also train Kurdish doctors in specialized techniques.
After unsuccessfully seeking medical care abroad for a failing liver, Isa Ahmad, 44, volunteered to donate part of his liver to his brother Nawzad, 41.
“He did so and now he died. The doctor said – what was the word for it – bleeding. They said we could not treat it, and he dies. That is all they said. What can I say to the doctor now?" asked the brothers’ mother.
“You are not meant to worry about the donor as you are concerned about the sick person," said Farhad Mohammed, a relative. He demanded answers from the health authorities.
The transplant was conducted by a visiting American team from the charity Operation HOPE.
Dr. John Thomas, founder of Operation HOPE, praised the records of the doctors on his team, saying he has full trust in their abilities.
“It’s very rare that somebody will die on the table, but it can happen,” he stated, He declined to comment directly on the case.
Dr. Ahmad Mukhtar, head of Duhok's syndicate for surgeons, said the liver transplant is a “risky surgery.”
He said his syndicate along with the health department would form a committee to investigate the matter.
Nawzad, who received a part of his brother’s liver, is still under medical care in hospital. Isa leaves behind his wife and eight children.
Operation HOPE comes to the Kurdistan Region every year. This is Dr. Thomas’ 18th trip, bringing a different team of specialist doctors to conduct consultations and operations. They also train Kurdish doctors in specialized techniques.
Dr. John Thomas, founder of Operation HOPE