International Patients — Hepatology and Liver Transplant Consultations with Dr. Chetan Kalal, Mumbai
Dr. Chetan Kalal, the first DM Hepatologist of Maharashtra, offers expert hepatology consultations and liver transplant coordination for international patients and NRI families worldwide. Whether you are in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Dubai, Gulf (GCC), Singapore, East Africa, or South Africa, you can access world-class liver care at Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai.
Why Choose Dr. Chetan Kalal and Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai
- First DM Hepatologist of Maharashtra — trained at ILBS New Delhi under Prof. S.K. Sarin, the world authority in ACLF and liver disease
- AASLD Foundation Award 2016 and 2017 — recognition from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the world’s leading hepatology body
- Fellow, National Academy of Medical Sciences (FNAMS) 2022-23
- 26 peer-reviewed international publications including contributions to APASL AARC consensus guidelines on ACLF
- ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5284-7890
- Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai — internationally accredited, dedicated liver transplant ICU, 24-hour hepatology cover
Conditions Treated
- ACLF (Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure) — speciality area, APASL AARC guidelines co-author
- Acute liver failure requiring emergency transplant evaluation
- Liver transplantation — living donor (LDLT) and deceased donor (DDLT)
- Cirrhosis and its complications — ascites, variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, SBP, HRS
- Chronic hepatitis B and C — including treatment-resistant and reactivation cases
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) — surveillance, RFA, TACE, transplant within Milan criteria
- MASLD/MASH (fatty liver disease) — including lean MASLD
- Portal hypertension — EVL, beta-blockers, TIPS evaluation
- Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and herbal/Ayurvedic liver injury (HILI)
- Autoimmune liver diseases — AIH, PBC, PSC
- Metabolic liver diseases — Wilson disease, haemochromatosis
How to Get a Consultation from Abroad
- Send your medical records — via the contact form on this website. Include: liver function tests (LFT), INR/PT, complete blood count (CBC), creatinine, viral markers (HBsAg, anti-HCV), AFP, MRI abdomen or CT triphasic, liver biopsy report if available, and any prior endoscopy reports.
- Teleconsultation — Dr. Kalal will review your records and arrange a video or phone consultation within 2-3 working days.
- Written second opinion — For patients who prefer a formal written opinion, a structured report is provided covering diagnosis, recommended treatment, and whether travel to Mumbai is advised.
- Travel to Mumbai — For patients who need in-person evaluation, liver transplant, or endoscopic procedures, Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai has a dedicated International Patient Services team to assist with medical visa, accommodation, and care coordination.
Travel Information for International Patients
| City | Flight to Mumbai | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai, UAE | ~3 hours direct | Multiple daily flights; large Indian diaspora community in Mumbai |
| London, UK | ~9 hours direct | Direct flights from Heathrow; British-Indian NRI community |
| New York, USA | ~15 hours (1 stop) | Many American-Indian families visit for liver transplant |
| Toronto, Canada | ~14 hours (1 stop) | Large South Asian community; liver transplant coordination available |
| Sydney, Australia | ~12 hours (1 stop) | Significant Indian diaspora; medical tourism well-established |
| Auckland, New Zealand | ~14 hours (1 stop) | NRI patients regularly visit for hepatology and transplant |
| Singapore | ~5.5 hours direct | Major hub; patients from across Southeast Asia transit via Singapore |
| Nairobi, Kenya | ~6 hours direct | East African Indian diaspora; transplant coordination available |
| Johannesburg, South Africa | ~9 hours direct | Southern African patients including Indian diaspora |
Liver Transplant Cost: India vs International Centres
Liver transplantation at Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai costs approximately one-fifth to one-tenth of the equivalent procedure in the USA, UK, or UAE — without any compromise on surgical expertise or post-transplant care. For many NRI families, travelling to Mumbai with a living donor for LDLT is the most practical and cost-effective pathway.
Indian Medical Visa (e-MedVisa)
International patients requiring in-person treatment in India need a Medical Visa (MED category). Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai provides the required invitation letter. The e-MedVisa can be applied for online at indianevisa.gov.in. Accompanying attendants receive a Medical Attendant Visa.
Frequently Asked Questions for International Patients
Can I get a second opinion from Dr. Kalal without travelling to Mumbai?
Yes. Send your medical records via the contact form. Dr. Kalal provides teleconsultation and written second opinions for patients worldwide — including for complex decisions like liver transplant candidacy, ACLF management, and hepatitis B treatment choice.
What is the waiting time for liver transplant at Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai?
For living donor liver transplant (LDLT), there is no waitlist. Once the donor is evaluated and found suitable, surgery is typically scheduled within 2-4 weeks of arriving in Mumbai. Deceased-donor transplant involves the ZTCC Maharashtra waitlist and is generally not practical for international patients.
Does Dr. Kalal accept referrals from physicians abroad?
Yes. Physician-to-physician referrals are welcome from gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and general physicians in the UK, USA, UAE, Canada, Australia, and anywhere worldwide. Please use the contact form or reach the hospital through Gleneagles International Patient Services.
Dr. Chetan Kalal — Hepatologist and Liver Transplant Physician, Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai. Full profile and credentials. ORCID: 0000-0002-5284-7890. PubMed publications.
