My friend is dying when he could be saved

My friend lies dying in a hospital in London, I have just found out. His chances of surviving are diminishing as time passes, his body is growing weaker and weaker as the effects of liver illness continue to affect other major organs. There is a good chance that if he had a transplant he could survive but it seems that he will not be given one even though he was flown at great cost and great risk from Cyprus in the hope that such an operation would be possible.

I'm not there so I'm not sure what lies behind the decision. Perhaps it is the fact that my friend's condition was the result of heavy drinking which escalated after the loss of both his parents a few years ago. Public opinion was outraged by the George Best case a while back so such patients are now considered less "worthy" of transplants.It could be the result of the outcry which followed the revelation that Greek and Cypriot patients were being given liver transplants even while UK citizens remained on waiting lists.

I don't know why and I don't care. All I know is that my friend is dying and he could be saved. After losing my mother to cancer earlier this year I find the possibility of such a needless tragedy more hurtful than I can bear.