Crash course to train organ transplant co-ordinators

In an attempt to revive the organ donation programme, the Zonal transplant coordination committee (ZTCC), Mumbai is planning to have crash courses to train organ transplant coordinators. Presently the hospitals which are authorised by ZTCC for organ donation, don’t have 24 hours transplant coordinator and are having problems finding a good coordinator who can convert a potential for organ donation.

On the eve of the Maharashtra Cadaver Organ Donation Day, Dr Gustad Davar, president of ZTCC said, “The state needs to revive and increase the cadaver organ donations. Our list has 28 hospitals. But we get only one-fourth of the expected numbers, especially cadaver donation. There is a scarcity of good coordinator who can counsel the families. Through these small time courses, we plan to produce a better coordinator.”

ZTCC had a course of transplant coordinator early this year and it was attended by 100 people in KEM hospital. Dr Jatin Kothari, joint secretary ZTCC, consultant nephrologists at the Hinduja Hospital said, “The liver and kidneys need to be removed while a brain-dead person is still on ventilator. The skin and cornea can be taken even after the person is taken off the ventilator. It is very difficult to convince a grief stricken relatives for organ donation.”