Chance of new liver snatched away from dying Hong Kong patient after donor's family refuse to let transplant go ahead

A dying patient in need of a liver transplant missed a life-saving opportunity yesterday when the family of a donor objected to giving away the person’s liver, a specialist revealed today.

The donor was a brain-dead patient and bore the same blood type O+ as Stephen Lee, 46, who is in a critical condition, Professor Lo Chung-mau said.

The liver was suitable for a transplant to Lee but the donor’s family objected to a donation, Lo said.

“It is unfortunate ...We are very disappointed. Our medical staff are all keen to help [Lee],” Lo said.

Lo is the University of Hong Kong’s head of surgery and a world expert on liver transplants.

There was another donor yesterday but the blood type did not fit Lee, Lo said.