Rise in cadaver transplants brings hope to patients

There’s hope for patients awaiting a kidney transplant. In just three months this year (2013), the city has seen 16 cadaver kidney transplants. More than last year’s which stood at 43, show figures put out by the Zonal Transplant Coordination Committee, a state body which liaises between patients awaiting an organ and availability of cadaver donations.

A cadaver transplant is an organ taken from a brain dead person and transplanted into a patient. Such transplants give a new lease of life to patients.

An official of the agency attributed this to better awareness of cadaver donation. This year, so far, we have transplanted 16 kidneys besides nine livers,” said the official.

Dr Jatin Kothari, nephrologist at Hinduja Hospital, Mahim, agrees that things are looking up on the kidney transplant scenario. “While there’s no cap to the rising number of patients, especially due to rise in diabetic and hypertensive patients, kidney transplant scenario seems bright with a rise in cadaver donations and policy change in live transplants,” said Dr Kothari.

For a patient awaiting a transplant, the first option is live transplant for which doctors look for a donor who is a relative. If that doesn’t match, the patient has to wait for a cadaver donation, says Dr Bharat Shah, nephrologist at Lilavati Hospital, Bandra.

Dr Shah, had earlier this year, moved the Bombay High Court, seeking direction to the state to clarify that donor or recipients of organ transplants who are related and not from Maharashtra need not get approval from their home state.

Dr Kothari said they are yet to receive directions from the state. “Patients requiring a no-objection from their home state are still waiting. Hope this is sorted out soon,” he said.