Newcastle professor helps save lives in Sri Lanka

23 December 2015 at 5:38am

A Northumbria University academic is playing the lead role in bringing heart and lung transplants to Sri Lanka – a country where this life-saving surgery has not previously been available.

Professor Stephen Clark. Credit: Northumbria University

Stephen Clark, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Cardiopulmonary Transplantation in Northumbria’s Department of Applied Sciences, is helping the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka establish its first heart and lung transplantation programme.

Until now, no heart transplant has ever taken place in Sri Lanka and only one lung transplant has taken place, back in 2011. Anyone requiring such life-saving surgery would have to travel abroad and pay prohibitively high costs.

Prof. Clark, who is also Director of Cardiopulmonary Transplantation at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, is mentoring Sri Lanka’s College of Surgeons through their first operations. He will also lead a team in the UK that will provide training, advice and practical support to surgeons undertaking these significant operations.

“We are fortunate to have a vibrant transplant programme here in the UK and in other westernised countries, so for many people it may seem unusual to hear that other countries have not been able to provide this life-saving surgery before now. We have been working with Sri Lankan doctors for over two years to form the Sri Lanka Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation which has now been approved under Sri Lankan law. The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka is keen that Sri Lanka becomes a centre for excellence in transplantations for neighbouring countries.”

– PROFESSOR STEPHEN CLARK,, NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY

"It is fantastic news to hear that Professor Clark is playing such a leading role in making these life-saving operations accessible for people in Sri Lanka. I have no doubt that his work will enhance the long-standing relationships the University has with organisations throughout Sri Lanka and South East Asia.”

– JULIE EDGAR, NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY’S FACULTY OF HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES

Last updated Wed 23 Dec 2015