Statement regarding Ufuk Özkan's health status

Actor Ufuk Özkan's ongoing treatment for liver failure is being meticulously monitored by a specialist team. In the latest statement from the hospital, important details regarding Özkan's health process were shared with the public. Özkan's brother, Umut Özkan, and members of the treatment team provided updates on the patient's condition and transplant planning.

Prof. Dr. Onur Yaprak recalled that Özkan first presented to the hospital in July 2023 with suspected cirrhosis and liver failure, and was discharged with medication after 14 days of inpatient treatment. The actor, who experienced a short period of illness in 2024, remained under observation in the hospital for approximately three weeks in August 2025. At the end of this process, the necessity of a liver transplant became clear, and the search for a donor began.

Ufuk Özkan, who was readmitted to the hospital on January 10, 2026, due to a deterioration in his health, had a MELD score of 22 upon admission. While the search for a living donor for the transplant continues, it was reported that three candidates who are anatomically suitable have been identified so far. However, a definitive donor has not yet been selected.

"GENERAL CONDITION IS GOOD"

Prof. Dr. Onur Yaprak stated, "While the search for a donor continues, significant developments have been recorded in the health status of our patient, Ufuk Özkan. Recovery has been achieved in his liver failure profile, and his MELD score, which was 22, has dropped to 14, falling below the threshold value of 15 accepted for transplant necessity. However, this clinical improvement does not change the fact that our patient needs a liver transplant when appropriate conditions are met. Due to heavy visitor traffic, an influenza A infection developed, and the symptoms of the infection are gradually decreasing. Our patient's general condition is good, and his monitoring and treatment are continuing."

Organ Transplant Coordinator Dr. Esin Gülkaya Anık stated that the living donor candidates fall outside the legal limits of kinship, therefore requiring an official authorization process. "First of all, according to the law in our country, the relationship between the recipient and the donor does not fall within the fourth-degree kinship framework; this is the case for all three donors. Therefore, the legal authorization process must first be completed. There are relevant and authorized bodies of our state for this process, and the necessary permits will be obtained. Following these permits, suitability assessments can be made for the donors. In other words, for an individual to be accepted as a donor, both medical and legal suitability must be ensured. To accept a volunteer donor as an organ donor, as previously stated, all medical and legal processes must be completed," she said.

"NO DEFINITIVE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE REGARDING DONOR SELECTION"

Dr. Anık also provided information that a definitive donor selection has not yet been made and the legal process has not been completed:

"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 definitive decision has been made regarding donor selection, and legal processes have not been completed. Therefore, it is too early to disclose the name of the donor candidate. When the process becomes clear, the necessary information will be provided to the public."

Prof. Dr. Murat Dayangaç emphasized that timing in liver transplantation is of great importance for the patient's well-being, stating, "Of course, we are performing the liver transplant to restore Ufuk to health. However, the major risks of a liver transplant must also be taken into account. The boundaries of whether a patient should undergo a liver transplant have already been clearly defined by global guidelines. In this respect, there is no question mark regarding the necessity of the transplant. However, a transplant plan will be made with the most appropriate timing and in a way that will yield the best results."

The actor's brother, Umut Özkan, summarized the process with hopeful words:

"I have made statements many times. Our esteemed professors have made the necessary explanations. The process is ongoing. I hope that, God willing, he will have his surgery and return to the stage again."

News Source: 12punto