Medical centers of the southern Iranian city of Shiraz have ranked third for the largest number of organ transplants in the world. “The honor goes to the families who lost one of their members but decided to donate organs of the body to give life to people who need them,” said Nader Moini, head of a charity organization supporting kidney patients in Shiraz. About 251 people have received kidney transplants in Fars Province since March 21, 2011, when the current Persian year started, Moini added. He also stated that 341 cases of liver transplants and 23 cases of pancreas transplants have been carried out in the province during the same period The first orthotropic liver transplantation in Iran was also performed in Shiraz in May, 1993. Organ transplantation in Iran is one of the most advanced in the world as the country has a long history in organ and tissue transplantation. Some researchers believe that Iranian scientist Avicenna was the first to suture nerves together.