"Things are looking good. He is doing as well as he can be," said Tan Chee Kiat, director of the liver transplant program at the state-run hospital.

Lau suffers from a condition known as Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy, in which a gene mutation causes the liver to produce abnormal proteins that affect the nerves.

Eventually, the liver will no longer function properly.

Further tests showed the pastor's heart had also been affected by the same genetic condition, the doctors said.

Tan said there was no cure for the disease except for a transplant.

More than a dozen surgeons, nurses and anesthesiologists were on hand for the operation.

"I have nobody to speak to except my God, so first words must be thanksgiving and praises but I am certainly very, very thankful to be able to wake up from this side of life instead of beyond," said Lau.

"The gift of life is really a miracle."

Source: AFP