Medicos unite for organ transplant awareness

The ‘Metro Retro – A Celebration of Life’, was held at Vadapalani Metro station, with renowned Carnatic vocalists Ranjani and Gayathri performing in front of a large audience. “India sees around 200 heart transplants each year, which is around 25 per cent hearts. However, we can do so much more, for which, awareness is the main requirement,” said Dr Sunil Shroff, Managing Director, MOHAN Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes organ donation and transplants. He said that a remarkable achievement witnessed in the state has been in organs being transplanted not only in private hospitals, but also in number of government hospitals. 

“Last month, a transplant was done for the first time at Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai. It is by creating awareness through events like this that has helped the state come so far,” added Dr Shroff. 

Commenting on the musical note to an organ issue, Lalitha, a member of MOHAN Foundation, said, “As a Metro station is a perfect place for a concert, the event was held at Vadapalani, as it has the highest footfall on a Sunday evening.” 

Stating that over 218 hospitals have registered under the registry, J Radhakrishnan, Health Secretary, said, “From seven transplants a year, the state now sees approximately 185 transplants, due to organisations like MOHAN Foundation.” He said that while the state has been recognised for the third consecutive year for leading in organ donation, it is the goal of the stakeholders to ensure that organ donation reaches a stage wherein all organs are donated. 

The event saw the participation of many doctors, including former TRANSTAN convener Dr J Amalorpavanathan and Dr K Balakrishnan, who has performed the highest number of heart transplants in the country.