Your editorial on humanising and evolving the organ transplantation act is timely and excellent. The benefits of having a cadaver transplant programmed are beyond words. Young patients with end stage organ diseases can get their organs transplanted. The cardiac valves can be used to replace the diseased valves and the vessels can be used as conduits. Further, it will eliminate organ trade. One brain dead person can give new lease of life to at least 10 persons. It is important to have stringent rules and regulations. However, any number of laws and regulations will not improve the organ donation.
There is a lack of awareness among the public and even among the doctors. Continuous education and creation of awareness among the students about brain death and organ donation is vital. During the last three decades, significant progress has been made in establishing the concept of brain death. Traditionally, five reasons given for non referral of a potential donor are:
- Lack of information about whom to contact
- Worry about the legal aspects
- Not willing to discuss with relative s to discuss about donation at the time of grief
- Lack of time
- Lack of knowledge about the benefits of donation
These issues can be overcome effectively by continuous education of the public and the media plays a major role. One of the significant step will be to include the willingness to donate organs in driving Licenses. It does not automatically give consent for organ donation. Still the consent from relatives is essential and it only gives an indication and helps to initiate the request for donation.
– Dr N Madhu Sankar, Chief Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Apollo Hospital