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In a life-saving cross-border effort, 32-year-old Linoy Amsalem received a liver transplant at Rabin Medical Center after a compatible organ was flown from Cyprus. The rapid response was coordinated by Israel’s National Transplant Center, demonstrating international collaboration in critical transplant cases.
The National Transplant Center notified Rabin Medical Center on Friday evening about the available liver in Nicosia. An air ambulance was arranged for early Saturday morning, and senior transplant surgeons Dr. Aviad Gravetz and Dr. Fahim Kanani traveled to Cyprus to retrieve the organ.
At the Nicosia hospital, the liver was recovered by the Israeli team, while local Greek and Cypriot teams managed other organs, including the heart and kidneys. The transplant in Israel was timed so preparations were ready as the liver arrived by air.
Back in Israel, Dr. Eviatar Nesher, head of the hospital’s transplant department, and his deputy Dr. Vladimir Tennak performed the procedure successfully. Dozens of medical professionals contributed to the mission, including anesthesiologists, nurses, transplant coordinators, blood bank staff, and the tissue typing laboratory. After surgery, Amsalem was monitored in intensive care before being moved to the transplant ward, and her condition is now excellent.
Amsalem, a single resident of Hadera who has lived with liver cirrhosis and studied medical administration, described the procedure as life-changing. She expressed hope for starting a family and gratitude toward her medical team, particularly Dr. Michal Cohen and transplant coordinator Sigal Cohen, who supported her throughout the process.
Dr. Tamar Ashkenazi, managing director of the National Transplant Center, praised the Cypriot team for adapting operating room schedules to fit the complex timing of the mission. Amsalem also noted that the experience gave her a deep understanding of the importance of organ donation and registering as a donor.
With information fromm The Jerusalem Post.
