Most potential organ donors run into familial resistance

Bangalore may be a prominent destination of medical tourism, but we are still hesitant to save a life. According to the Zonal Coordination Committee of Karnataka for Transplantation (ZCCK), the demand supply proportion of organ donation in the state is not impressive. The main reasons are the lack of willingness and discouragement from families of interested organ donors.

According to the numbers released by ZCCK, there are about 541 people in Karnataka on the waiting list for a new lease of life. There are 451 kidney, 27 heart, two lungs and 53 liver transplant patients waiting for donors. Those who are in need of both heart and lungs are three and for kidney and pancreas numbers being the same.

However, during 2009, only 12 donations were made through the ZCCK and the numbers have decreased to a mere six in 2010. The total number of organs provided by ZCCK since its formation is below 40.

According to authorities at ZCCK, the committee which is trying hard to promote awareness among conservative families suffered due to lack of government support.

Dr D Ramesh, secretary of ZCCK and professor of urology at the MS Ramaiah Medical College said that although the organisation is a government initiative, there had been no support from it, except for numerous void promises. “From the time of our inception in 2005, we have not received any sort of support from the government, either financially or through helpful policies,” said Ramesh.

However, this is not the case in neighbouring Tamil Nadu. For example, the number of organs provided for transplant by Tamil Nadu in 2009 was 109. Among the recipients of the
organs included citizens of Bangalore.

“Why Tamil Nadu is able to do this is because there are certain rules laid down by the state government. In brain dead cases, hospital authorities are supposed to report it to the government officials, who would then talk to the family and convince them about the need for organ donation. We also can do the same provided the brain dead cases are reported in time. However, this requires a strong government regularisation. We have promises, but no action as yet,” said Ramesh.