The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 11, 2025
In a compelling example of how public–private collaboration can transform lives, Aster CMI Hospital, one of India’s premier healthcare institutions, has successfully enabled life-saving liver transplants for three children from Odisha through its partnership with the state government. This initiative is part of Aster CMI’s flagship Affordable Liver Transplantation Program, launched under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Government of Odisha in 2022.
Targeted at improving access to advanced healthcare for underserved communities, the program adopts a blended financing model. While families contribute a nominal sum of ₹2 lakh, the remaining cost — ranging between ₹20 to ₹25 lakh — is covered through a combination of CSR contributions, government health schemes, and crowdfunding. This financial structure ensures that even the most economically disadvantaged families can access world-class transplant care.
Among the recent success stories is that of a 12-year-old boy from a village near Bhubaneswar. Diagnosed with decompensated liver disease, he was referred to Aster CMI by the Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences. With his mother as the donor, the child underwent a successful liver transplant in Bangalore and is now on the path to recovery — a testament to the impact of the Odisha–Aster collaboration.
This initiative forms part of Aster CMI’s broader mission to make transplantation services accessible and affordable across India. The hospital has performed over 1,000 liver transplants to date, including more than 200 pediatric procedures — some even on infants weighing less than five kilograms. This achievement places Aster CMI among a select few centers in the country with such capabilities.
The program has earned national and international acclaim. It has been studied by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and featured by Harvard Business Publishing as a leading model of scalable, accountable healthcare philanthropy.
“This collaboration is a powerful example of what’s possible when government and private healthcare institutions unite,” said Dr. Sonal Asthana, Lead Consultant – HPB & Liver Transplant Surgery at Aster CMI Hospital. “By building a strong ecosystem around our clinical expertise, we are not just saving lives — we’re transforming futures.”
The initiative is supported by a highly skilled multidisciplinary transplant team including Dr. Mallikarjun Sakpal, Dr. Vachan S Hukkeri, and Dr. Ashritha A, making Aster CMI a national referral center for complex pediatric liver transplants.
SGS Lakshmanan, Chief Operating Officer of Aster CMI Hospital, emphasized, “This initiative embodies our mission — ‘We’ll Treat You Well.’ Our structured CSR framework ensures that no child is denied a transplant due to financial constraints. The Odisha model proves this approach is not only effective but scalable nationwide.”
