A national database has been set up to address the issue of blood group mismatch, which often leads to delays in kidney transplants.
A national database has been set up to address the issue of blood group mismatch, which often leads to delays in kidney transplants. Set up by the Apex Kidney Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, the Apex Swap Transplant Registry (ASTR) will contain details of people in need of kidneys along with their special needs.
The mismatch between a donor and recipient because of varying blood groups is one of the biggest problems faced during kidney transplants. In such cases, swap transplantation may come to the rescue. If there are two such pairs of kidney donor-recipients in the city, and if the kidney of one donor matches that of the recipient of the other pair or vice-versa, it can lead to a successful transplantation.
Swap kidney transplant is a new concept.
There haven’t been more than 15 swap transplants in the city in the last four years. The Zonal Transplant Co-ordination Committee (ZTCC) maintains the registry for people who want a cadaver organ, but can’t get it from relatives and friends.
Every year, 5,00,000 people are affected by kidney failure in India, a senior nephrologist said. However, only 3-5% get appropriate treatment in the form of a transplant or dialysis. The government gives permission to the hospitals to perform kidney swap transplantation.
Because of ASTR, transplant rate will increase in the city and the country. Family donors, who want to donate their kidney to their near and dear ones, but cannot because of incompatible blood groups, can do so by registering themselves with the swap registry. According to the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA), swap kidney transplantation is legally permissible. Doctors said around 400 people are awaiting cadaver kidney transplant in Mumbai, with an average waiting period of 6-7 years.
“This is the first time in India that an initiative has been taken to start a swap transplant registry to curtail the waiting period for patients. The facility is provided free of cost,” said Dr Vishwanth Billa, coordinator, ASTR and senior nephrologist, Bombay hospital.
Dr Jatin Kothari, joint secretary, ZTCC, and nephrologist at Hinduja Hospital, said, “This is a welcome move. There is a need to create awareness about swap kidney transplant.”
The ZTCC was formed in 2001 to address various complex scientific, ethical, social issues of cadaver transplant. Its purpose is to improve organ donation and increase the availability and access to donor organs for patients with end organ failure. The ASTR will work in sync with the transplant community to make swap transplants a possibility in the legal framework. It will make it transparent and easy for all needy patients. To register, contact Prakash Shirodkar at 25278908
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