This is no news that state government can take heart from. Six of the city hospitals that were given licence to perform heart transplants some around ten years ago have not conducted a single one so far.
This is no news that state government can take heart from. Six of the city hospitals that were given licence to perform heart transplants some around ten years ago have not conducted a single one so far.
Cracking down on them, the health department has now sent notices to these hospitals asking them to explain why their licence should not be revoked for failing to promote a healthy heart transplant programme in city, forcing the patients to look out for other hospitals elsewhere in the country.
What has city cardiologists got to say?
According to the cardiologists in Mumbai they are finding it difficult to get donors, thanks to lack of awareness. The heart must come from someone who has been declared brain dead and whose family consents to donating the organ. "Last two years we were trying; but then the recipient heart won't match the donor one. We had even announced that the first surgery will be performed free of cost," said Dr Vijay Dsilva, Medical Director, Asian Heart Institute, Bandra.
What is the health department stand?
"Though hospitals cannot be forced to perform such surgeries, they need to be encouraged as our patients are forced to go elsewhere. We have sent notice to hospitals asking why their licence should not be revoked for failing to bring in a change in the situation," said Dr Kempi Patil, Joint Director (HOTA) Directorate of health services.
Are there much demand for transplants?
Nair Hospital in city alone claims to have around 70-80 patients on an average every year suffering from end-stage heart disease and requiring transplant. "While some cannot afford the treatment cost, some don't want to travel to other states and some are scared to undergo surgical procedure. They want to continue with medication," said Dr Ajay Chauraciya, head of Cardiology department.
Is city getting enough donor hearts?
"Brain dead cases arise only when suffers a head injury from an accident or after a massive haemorrhage of the brain. Such persons' heart continues to beat and respiration is maintained with the help of a ventilator. Getting the victim's relatives' consent to donate the heart itself is a big task," said a senior cardiologist on condition of anonymity.
When is a transplant recommended?
If a patient cannot be cured of his heart ailment through angioplasty or bypass surgery, a heart transplant is recommended.
What is the procedure, cost factor?
Once the donor heart is harvested from the brain dead donor, the patient's heart is matched with the donor heart following which a transplant surgery is carried out within six hours. The surgery can take anywhere from 4 to 12 hours, or longer.
Chennai hospitals are charging anywhere between Rs 20-25 lakh per transplant.
Where are patients from state headed to?
As per records atleast five patients from the state have been operated upon in Chennai hospitals, including a recent case of 21-year-old Rahul Thakur from Jalgaon district.
Are Chennai hospitals much in demand?
Dr K R Balakrishnan, Director of Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Malar hospital, Chennai who has 40 heart transplants to his credit, says: "There is a need of such kind of procedure because there is a good success rate in such procedure. Every week around 7-8 patients approach us from across the country."
Is health dept planning any awareness campaign?
According to Dr Kempi Patil, the health department is aiming to create awareness among the medical fraternity and encourage the people who wanted to start such programme in city based hospitals. "It will take time, but we are very hopeful," he said.
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