Call for organ transplant supervisory society

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With organ donation and transplantation gaining wider acceptability and giving new life to people with organ failure, experts have mooted an independent society for effective coordination and implementation of the Human Organs Act (THO) and rules in the state.

At the moment, Mrithasanjeevani - Kerala Network for Organ Sharing (KNOS) coordinates with the government and private agencies on organ transplantation issues, but many want the system to be institutionalised armed with regulatory powers.

Though the Director of Medical Education (DME) is mandated under the Act to grant registration and conduct inspections in transplant centres, many say the official is already overburdened with huge responsibility managing government medical colleges whose number has now gone up to eight from five. It is in this backdrop that the idea of a dedicated society gains strength.

Such an institutionalised mechanism could focus full time on issues like protocol, research and data analysis, and outcome monitoring.

There is also a need for formulating an effective and realistic policy, procedure and regulatory framework for all kinds of organ transplantation within the framework of Human Organs Act and rules.

The society could work towards assisting all persons who are diagnosed with chronic organ and tissue failure and facilitate access to organs.

Besides, the proposed society could also ensure organs donated by deceased donors reach those needing transplantation in an equitable and practical manner.

Experts say there is an urgent need for effective networking of all stakeholders in organ transplantation including hospitals, medical personnel, organ donors, families of deceased donors, those needing transplantation, those who underwent transplantation, NGOs and individuals.

The society could also undertake short-term courses in the field of organ transplantation mainly for transplant coordinators, grief counsellors and nursing staff.