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3 die waiting for lung donation in 4 months

On May 2, 17-year-old Sheetal (name changed) died because waiting for a lung donation.

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On May 2, 17-year-old Sheetal (name changed) died because waiting for a lung donation.

In the last four months, three people, including Sheetal, have lost their lives because the zonal transplant coordination centre (ZTCC) reportedly failed to communicate to PD Hinduja Hospital about a cadaver donor "because of lack of awareness".

So, Dr Jnanesh Thacker, lung transplant surgeon from PD Hinduja Hospital, has written to the state health minister, ZTCC and director general of police to create awareness about the issue.

"I was appointed by the hospital especially for lung transplant and since then I have been waiting for donors," said Dr Thacker. "The hospital transplant coordinators, the police and everyone attached with cadaver donation programme have to be sensitised so that lungs can be donated besides kidneys, liver, eyes and skin.”

Hinduja Hospital is the only hospital in the city which has the permission to carry out a lung transplant operation.

Businessman Vijay Thandeshwar was diagnosed with lung fibrosis three years ago and has been put on oxygen since last year. “He carried an oxygen cylinder with him everywhere. We pray that he gets a donor soon,” said Mukesh Talsania, his friend.  

Thandeshwar is one of the eight patients who have registered for lung transplant and is waiting for a donor. Dr Thacker said: "The state health minister met us and has promised to look into the matter."

Dr Gustad Daver, president of ZTCC, Mumbai, said: “We have sent letters to all hospitals about taking consent from the cadaver donor's family for lungs too. In the seven cadaver donations this year, half of the lungs were not suitable for donation. And, in one case, the hospital had not taken the family's permission."  

The state health department has formed a committee, led by additional chief secretary Jayant Banthia, to study how Tamil Nadu has topped the list in cadaver donations in the country. The panel will have its first meeting next week. 

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