Bangalore, May 22, 2025: Aster CMI Hospital has emerged as the largest supported pediatric liver transplant program in India, having successfully facilitated over 200 transplants through its Affordable Pediatric Transplantation Initiative a pioneering effort that combines Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), government health schemes, and crowdfunding to make life-saving care accessible to underprivileged children.

“Instead of paying ₹20–25 lakhs, families now only bear around ₹4–5 lakhs per transplant,” said Dr. Sonal Asthana, Lead Consultant – HPB & Liver Transplant Surgery, Aster CMI Hospital. “We’ve created a mechanism that combines philanthropy, CSR, and government support to reduce the financial burden by nearly 80%. This initiative is now the largest of its kind in the country.”

The program is driven by a dedicated and highly specialized transplant team comprising Dr. Mallikarjun Sakpal, Consultant – HPB & Transplant Physician; Dr. Vachan S Hukkeri, Consultant – Liver Transplant and HPB Surgery; Dr. Ashritha A, Consultant – Pediatric Hepatology & Liver Transplant; and Dr. Sonal Asthana, Lead Consultant – HPB & Liver Transplant Surgery together, they have helped elevate Aster CMI into a national referral center for complex pediatric liver transplants.

The hospital’s work has also drawn national attention, being featured as a case study by IIM Ahmedabad, and recognized by Harvard Business Publishing, for redefining how philanthropy can fund high-end medical care in a scalable, accountable way.

SGS Lakshmanan, Chief Operating Officer of Aster CMI Hospital, added: “This initiative embodies Aster’s core mission— ‘We’ll Treat You Well’—not just in clinical care but also in compassionate outreach. Our CSR model is structured to create lasting impact and scale nationally, ensuring that no child is denied a second chance at life due to lack of funds.”