Doctor: Awareness needed on organ donation urgently

Mangaluru: Dr Yusuf Kumble, chief interventional cardiologist and managing director, Indiana Hospital and Heart Institute, stressed the need for concerted efforts to raise awareness and educate the public and healthcare professionals about organ donation and kidney transplantation. “By doing so, we can address the critical shortage of organs, alleviate the suffering of patients, and ultimately save lives,” Dr Kumble said during an awareness programme on organ donation held at the Indiana Hospital on Thursday.He said organ transplantation, particularly kidney transplantation, has a long history in India, but it is unfortunate that awareness of this life-saving procedure has not reached many tier-two and tier-three cities. “As an MBBS student, I thought that kidney transplants would become as common as ECG over time. However, the reality is far from this. At Indiana Hospital, we conduct 800-1,000 dialysis sessions every month, but finding a kidney donor once a month is a rarity. The patients and their families are facing dire situations, both medically and financially. The emotional toll is also immense,” he said.Indiana Hospital has successfully performed three cadaver kidney transplants, but significant obstacles remain, including the lack of awareness and religious concern that some individuals have about organ donation. “To address these challenges, we must engage in a multi-pronged approach including public awareness, and dispel myths and misconceptions. The government should establish clear rules and regulations for organ transplantation, mirroring the successful models from other countries. Further, there is a need for uniform laws and policies across India, to promote organ donation and transplantation consistently. At present more kidney transplants are happening in Kerala when compared to Karnataka,’’ he added.Dr Sadananda Poojary, urosurgeon, Wenlock District Hospital, said that the process of kidney donation is transparent. He urged the public to make use of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) website and pledge organs. Dr Pradeep KJ, senior consultant nephrologist and kidney transplant physician, said that it is estimated that approximately 10-15 out of every 100 individuals in India may be living with some form of kidney disease, often without even realising it. “Kidney transplantation is universally recognized as a superior alternative when compared to hemodialysis. It not only enhances the quality of life, but is also considered a safe procedure, with the majority of kidney donors worldwide experiencing positive outcomes. The burdens of dialysis are truly understood only by the individuals and their families who go through it,’’ he said.The hospital felicitated Vanaja, a relative of 16-year-old Yashraj, a road traffic accident victim, whose organs were harvested after Yashraj was declared brain dead last year. They also felicitated Laveena and Padma, coordinators for Jeevasarthakathe.Dr Shravan R Shanbhag, Dr Mujeeb Rahiman, consultant urologist and Dr Anvitha consultant nephrologist, were present.
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