A heartbreaking story has emerged as a 36-year-old woman, Amanda Huska, has been denied a life-saving liver transplant while she remains on life support. Despite her husband, Nathan Allen, being a willing donor and a match, the University Health Network in Ontario, Canada has refused their request.

Huska, who has been battling alcoholism, recently relapsed while on the waiting list for a liver transplant. She has been on life support for three months, awaiting the organ that could save her life. However, the hospital discovered her relapse and decided to deny her the transplant, citing a breach of their policy.

Although Huska has agreed to enter an addiction program to address her alcoholism, her family has been given the devastating news that she has only weeks to live. Her partner, Nathan Allen, expressed his frustration, saying that the denial of the transplant was a wakeup call for Huska, and she was determined to turn her life around.

Allen has even considered flying Huska to Europe in a desperate attempt to provide her with a new liver. However, time is running out, and he fears there might not be enough time left for the life-saving procedure. The treatment costs approximately $300,000, adding the financial burden to an already grim situation.

Dr. Saumya Jayakumar, a liver transplant surgeon in Edmonton, stated that the criteria for transplant eligibility is typically consistent across Canada. She emphasized that the decision-making process for transplants involves a significant amount of moral distress for medical professionals, as they grapple with making choices regarding a limited resource.

The officials from the University Health Network clarified that patient eligibility for living donor transplants is determined based on multiple criteria, including blood type and willingness to donate. They also highlighted that recipient criteria is governed jointly by transplant centers and Trillium Gift of Life Network.

This case sheds light on the difficulties faced by transplant centers in accessing mental health funding for patients and providing access to mental health practitioners for transplant programs. The decision to deny Huska the transplant reveals the ongoing challenges in balancing limited resources and ensuring long-term success for patients.

LADbible Group has reached out to the University Health Network for further comment on the matter. As Amanda Huska's health continues to deteriorate, her family and supporters hold onto hope for a potential alternative solution to save her life.