Cadaver transplant awareness low

Though the number of organ transplant surgeries is steadily increasing, the proportion of cadaver transplants is still very low. Transplant surgeons said that though the technology is now available for transplants, it is lack of organs that is the major limiting factor.

Global Hospital here has just announced the completion of 200 liver transplants at its Lakdikapul facility. The hospital conducted its first liver transplant surgery in 2003. Liver trans- plant surgeon Prof. Mohammed Rela lamented the low awareness about cadaver organ donation.

“We should be able to see an increase in cadaver transplants as this will reduce the dependency on a donor within the family,” he said. He said that while about 20,000 patients in India require liver transplants every year, only 700 are able to undergo surgery due to lack of organs. The number could be approximately the same in case of other organs, he said.

Cadaver organ donations in the state are very low. According to estimates given by doctors, only about 15 to 20 cadaver organs are donated every year. Doctors said that while hundreds of people die from injuries in accidents, their organs are not donated by relatives due to lack of awareness and superstitious beliefs. “Awareness about organ donation is of immense importance,” Prof. Rela said.

Dr K. Ravindranath, chairman and MD, Global Hospitals, said the cost of a transplant will decrease as the number of transplant surgeries increase. “More transplant surgeries will definitely reduce the cost of the surgery. But for this, there needs to be greater awareness about organ donation,” he said.