Azerbaijan.US
Azerbaijan has carried out its first-ever heart transplant using an organ from a deceased donor, marking a milestone in the country’s medical system. The surgery was performed on a 19-year-old patient who had been suffering from severe heart failure.
According to the patient, prior to the operation he experienced constant shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, and limited mobility. Four months after the transplant, his condition has significantly improved.
“I couldn’t move freely before the surgery and was constantly struggling to breathe. Now I feel well and can walk normally,” the patient said.
Doctors noted that the decision by the donor’s family was a crucial and difficult step, emphasizing that consent from relatives made the historic operation possible.
Donor Interest Increases After Surgery
Following the first heart transplant, interest in organ donation has risen across the country. Official data indicate that more than 1,200 people have expressed willingness to become organ donors. A group of members of parliament has also signed donor consent documents.
Health officials report that thousands of people in Azerbaijan currently require organ transplants. According to official figures, 4,642 patients are undergoing dialysis treatment.
Progress in Cardiac Surgery
Medical specialists highlight significant progress in cardiac surgery over recent years. In the past two years alone, around 11,000 open-heart surgeries have been performed in Azerbaijan. By comparison, only one such operation was recorded in 2005.
Doctors say heart transplants from deceased donors will continue as part of an ongoing national program. Preparations for these procedures had been underway for years at major clinical centers, and the program is now being implemented on a permanent basis.
Authorities also report ongoing efforts to digitize the organ transplantation system. Experts stress the need for a specialized heart failure center to further support advanced cardiac care in the country.
