26.01.2026 14:31
The treatment of actor Ufuk Özkan, who saddened his loved ones with a diagnosis of liver failure, is ongoing in the hospital. A statement was made by the hospital to inform the public about the process. In the statement, it was noted that three donors were found among Özkan's former colleagues, and it was stated, "Once the necessary medical and legal processes are completed and the donor candidate is clarified, we will provide further information. At this stage, there is no confirmed donor."
The health status of actor Ufuk Özkan, who has been struggling with liver failure for a long time, has been closely monitored by specialist doctors. Prof. Dr. Murat Dayangaç, Prof. Dr. Remzi Emiroğlu, and Prof. Dr. Onur Yaprak from the organ transplant department of a private hospital, along with Organ Transplant Coordinator Dr. Lecturer Esin Gülkaya Anık and his brother Umut Özkan, informed the public about the famous actor's treatment process.
TREATMENT PROCESS BEGAN IN 2023 Prof. Dr. Onur Yaprak stated that the treatment process first began in July 2023, indicating that Ufuk Özkan was admitted to the hospital with cirrhosis and liver failure. He reported that the patient, who was hospitalized for approximately 14 days, was discharged after necessary medication adjustments were made due to the improvement in his general condition and the absence of a need for a liver transplant at that time. It was noted that the patient was hospitalized again for about a week in 2024 and underwent a treatment process lasting approximately 20 days in August 2025. After comprehensive evaluations during this period, a decision was made to perform a liver transplant, and the patient was informed about the search for a donor.
Prof. Dr. Yaprak noted that Özkan re-admitted to the hospital on January 10, 2026, with a more severe condition compared to previous clinical presentations, stating, "He was urgently admitted and necessary treatment has begun. In the evaluations conducted, the MELD score indicating liver failure was found to be 22 at the time of admission. During the process, it was reiterated to him that necessary preparations should be made if a suitable living donor candidate is found."
THE PROCESS CONTINUES Prof. Dr. Yaprak emphasized that many applications have been received from the patient's relatives and loved ones to become donors. "Among the former colleagues who have previously crossed paths with our patient, there are currently 3 donor candidates who have passed the anatomical preliminary evaluations. After the completion of the necessary medical and legal processes, if a donor candidate is confirmed, we will provide further information. At this stage, there is no confirmed donor," he stated.
MELD SCORE DROPPED TO 14 Prof. Dr. Yaprak concluded his statements with the following words:
"While the search for a donor continues, significant developments have been recorded in the health status of our patient Ufuk Özkan. There has been a renewed improvement in the liver failure condition, and the MELD score, which was 22, has decreased to 14, falling below the threshold value of 15, which is considered necessary for transplantation. However, this clinical improvement does not change the fact that our patient needs a liver transplant when suitable conditions arise. Due to intense visitor traffic, an influenza A infection has developed, and the symptoms of the infection are gradually decreasing. The general condition of our patient is good, and monitoring and treatment continue."
ANIK: SUITABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR DONORS CAN BE MADE Organ Transplant Coordinator Dr. Lecturer Esin Gülkaya Anık stated, "Firstly, according to the law in our country, the relationship between the recipient and the donor does not fall within the fourth-degree kinship framework, and this is the case for these three donors as well. Therefore, the legal permission process must be completed first. Our government has relevant and authorized bodies for this process, and the necessary permissions will be obtained. After these permissions, a suitability assessment for the donors can be made. In other words, for an individual to be accepted as a donor, both medical and legal suitability must be ensured. To accept a voluntary donor as an organ donor, all medical and legal processes must be completed, as previously mentioned," she stated.
"NO DEFINITE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE REGARDING DONOR SELECTION" Dr. Lecturer Anık said, "Current evaluations are entirely related to medical processes. As a result of the evaluations made by our professors, it has been determined that these three donor candidates may be medically suitable. However, no definite decision has been made regarding donor selection, and legal processes have not been completed. Therefore, it is still early to disclose the name of the donor candidate. When the process becomes clear, necessary information will be provided to the public."
"THE ORGAN TRANSPLANT TEAM WILL DECIDE ON THE INDICATION" Anık stated, "The organ transplant team will decide on the indication, that is, the patient's current condition. Actions will be taken according to the urgency of the patient. After the medical and legal processes are completed, if Ufuk Özkan's medical condition is suitable for transplantation, final evaluations will be made, and a surgery plan will be created."
Prof. Dr. Murat Dayangaç from the Organ Transplant Department stated, "Of course, we are performing the liver transplant to restore Ufuk's health. However, the significant risks of liver transplantation must also be taken into account. The boundaries of whether a liver transplant will be performed on a patient have already been clearly defined by global guidelines. In this regard, there is no question mark regarding the necessity of the transplant. However, a transplant will be planned in a way that the results will be the best with the most appropriate timing," he said.
Umut Özkan, Ufuk Özkan's brother, also stated, "I have made many statements. Our esteemed professors have made the necessary explanations. The process continues. I hope that he will have his surgery successfully and return to the stage," he said.