JOIN US As many as 1,600 patients await kidney transplant in the State as on November 15, 2015, according to Dr Ravichand, Chief Liver Transplant Surgeon, Manipal Hospital.
Speaking at a programme organised to mark World Organ Donation Day, he said that 534 patients were awaiting liver transplant and 34 for heart in Karnataka. He said that organ donations were not happening because many a times people are not aware or their family members are not aware of it.
“It is also because hospitals do not have the licence to do so. There is also no coordination and cooperation with other hospitals to share records,” he said.
Dr Ravichand suggested that the government should adopt the practice followed in the western countries where the consent for donating organs is included in the driving licence.
“There are many instances where patients have pledged to donate organs but their family members and hospitals are not aware of it. Also, many a times people pledge but do not carry the record with them. But if it is included in driving licence or any government document which people always carry then it is known and resourceful,” he said.
Dr Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, Manipal Hospital, said that organ donation can save lives of up to eight individuals. Statistics show that five lakh people die because of non-availability of organs, he added.