<p>Venugopal, who performed the first heart transplant surgery in the country, was speaking after receiving 'Dhanvantari Award', set up by city-based Dhanvantari Medical Foundation, at a function here.<br /><br />He said patients from all over the world were "thronging Indian hospitals" now, as "outstanding facilities" are available in the country.<br /><br />But, when it come to heart transplants, Indian doctors face shortage of donors, he said.<br />Some 4,000 heart transplants take place in the world, but India is yet to catch up with the rest of the world, he said.<br /><br />Over 1.6 lakh people die in road accidents, but "this pool of potential organ donors translates into insignificant number of organ donors," he said, adding socio-cultural beliefs, and ignorance and misconceptions about organ donations are responsible for this.<br /><br />"Uniform legislation, central co-ordination of organ donation are need of the hour," he added.</p>
<p>Venugopal, who performed the first heart transplant surgery in the country, was speaking after receiving 'Dhanvantari Award', set up by city-based Dhanvantari Medical Foundation, at a function here.<br /><br />He said patients from all over the world were "thronging Indian hospitals" now, as "outstanding facilities" are available in the country.<br /><br />But, when it come to heart transplants, Indian doctors face shortage of donors, he said.<br />Some 4,000 heart transplants take place in the world, but India is yet to catch up with the rest of the world, he said.<br /><br />Over 1.6 lakh people die in road accidents, but "this pool of potential organ donors translates into insignificant number of organ donors," he said, adding socio-cultural beliefs, and ignorance and misconceptions about organ donations are responsible for this.<br /><br />"Uniform legislation, central co-ordination of organ donation are need of the hour," he added.</p>