MALAYSIA celebrated a significant medical milestone after the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) successfully conducted a liver transplant on a four-month-old infant weighing just 6.2 kilograms.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim praised the achievement, describing it as “historic” and commending the expertise of the medical team.
In a post on X on Sunday (Jan 4), Anwar said, “Congratulations to the medical team at PPUM for the historic achievement of performing a liver transplant on a four-month-old baby weighing 6.2 kg.”
He added that the success demonstrated “the high level of expertise, professionalism, and dedication of the country’s healthcare workers, particularly in managing extremely complex and high-risk procedures.”
Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad earlier extended his congratulations on Facebook, recognising both the courage of the mother and the unwavering dedication of the medical staff.
“In this historic achievement, I recognise the spirit of sacrifice exemplified by mothers and the unwavering dedication of doctors who refuse to accept despair. This is why this year, I am determined to drive the National Transplant Agenda 2026,” he said.
The procedure, performed on November 25, 2025, involved transplanting a segment of the baby’s liver from his 38-year-old mother, whose liver was compatible, to her son, whose own liver had failed.
Medical specialists described the operation as highly complex due to the infant’s small size and the delicate nature of the surgery, marking it as a landmark success for Malaysia’s transplant capabilities.
The accomplishment underscores Malaysia’s growing capacity in advanced medical interventions, signalling progress toward the National Transplant Agenda 2026, which aims to strengthen organ transplantation infrastructure and expertise across the country. - January 4, 2025
