Lab for blood testing related to organ donation to come up at Wenlock Hospital: Dinesh Gundu Rao

Mangaluru: District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that a satellite laboratory for blood testing related to organ donation will be established at Government Wenlock Hospital, with support from BMST.

Speaking at the Indian Organ Donation Day programme, jointly organised by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Dakshina Kannada district administration, Zilla Panchayat and Yenepoya Medical College, the Minister said that blood samples are currently being sent to Bengaluru for testing. Similar labs will also be set up in Mysuru and Shivamogga.

He emphasised the need to dispel misconceptions about organ donation and to encourage more people to come forward, as organ donation can save many lives. “A brain-dead person can donate up to eight organs,” he noted.

The Minister appreciated the compassion of families who choose to donate the organs of their loved ones during moments of immense grief. “Such decisions are highly valuable, as they give a new lease of life to others,” he said.

While the demand for organ transplants is rising, the availability of organs remains limited. Currently, 4,582 people in Karnataka are awaiting kidney transplants, 583 are registered for liver transplants, 133 for heart transplants, and 31 for lung transplants. More women have donated organs when compared to men.

In 2024, 162 donors contributed 457 organs in Karnataka. So far this year, up to July, 121 donors have donated 326 organs. Karnataka ranks second in the country for organ donation.

The Minister also announced that Karnataka will receive the “Best State in Promoting Organ Donation Excellence Award” from the Government of India on Saturday. In addition, the Jeevasarthakathe coordinator from Hubballi-Dharwad will receive the “Best Coordinator Award”.

He stressed that religion should not be a barrier to organ donation. In addition to awareness drives, the state government has launched pledge campaigns, making Karnataka the third-highest in the country for organ donation pledges.

To honour donors, the government felicitates their families during Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations with appreciation certificates signed by the Chief Minister. The government has also decided to give priority to donor families if they ever require organ transplants in the future.

The Minister added that organ retrieval centres are being developed across the state. All district government hospitals will be strengthened to facilitate the retrieval of organs from brain-dead patients.

Jeevasarthakathe (SOTTO) State Coordinator Dr Ravishankar Shetty K noted that India witnesses 1.5 lakh accidental deaths annually, yet only about 550 organ transplants are performed. He said that while southern states are performing better in organ donation and transplantation, widespread misconceptions still persist, and more awareness is needed.

DHO Dr H R Thimmaiah, Dr Mallika B, divisional deputy director department of health and family welfare, Wenlock Hospital superintendent Dr Shivaprakash DS, Lady Goschen Hospital superintendent Dr Durgaprasad M R, Yenepoya Deemed to be University Pro Chancellor Dr B H Sripathi Rao and others were present.