KUNDAN RAJPUT
NASHIK :
As Covid-19 cases continue to spiral, organ donation and transplantation programmes have come to a grinding halt in city hospitals. According to officials, the organ donation from both live and deceased has taken a severe hit since the Covid-19 outbreak. Considering the possibility of in-hospital transmission of the virus, the state health department has directed organ transplant centres to avoid major surgeries and opt for minor operations only by following the guidelines.
The organ donation programme has been closed since last February due to the crisis and organ transplant surgeries have also been banned in hospitals. As per the government directions, patients in need of organs have been disallowed to undergo any major surgery in order to avoid the danger of possible in-house transmission of the disease.
Hundreds of patients, who are in dire need of organs like kidney, heart and liver, are struggling for their lives today as the organ donation process has completely taken a halt. In Nashik alone, more than 100 patients need kidneys. Overall, the COVID-19 the crisis has hit the organ donation movement hard.
In the country, the organ donation programme is monitored through Zonal Transfer Committee and All India Organ Transplant Committee. However, after the infiltration of novel coronavirus India in February, it was decided to suspend the organ donation process in the country for a few days as per the government order.
Also, since the lockdown is in force, it is not possible to make a green corridor or air corridor to transport the heart, kidney, lungs and liver organs of the brain dead person to the needy patients.
Patients who are in need of the stated organs may also have other ailments which may cause a weaker immune system. Given the risk of COVID-19 infection in patients undergoing major organ transplant surgery, critical organ transplant surgery is currently being avoided in hospitals.
However, caesarean, surgery for serious injuries, brain and other life-saving operations are permitted.
Many have filled in forms to donate eyes and skin after death. However, some of them have died and their last wish for organ donation remained unfulfilled in order to avoid the risk of corona infection.
The organ donation programme is currently halted due to the COVID-19. The Zonal Transfer Committee is not allowed to perform kidney, liver, heart and other organ transplant surgeries. In Nashik alone, more than 100 patients need kidneys.
– Bhausaheb More, founder of the organ donation movement
In the present situation, it is not possible to conduct an organ donor’s COVID19 test and donate his/her eyes and skin to the needy. More than 300 people have registered with skin bank, wishing to donate the organ. However, some of them have died and their last wish for organ donation could not be fulfilled due to corona.
– Dr. Rajendra Nehete, Director, Rotary-Vedant Skin Bank
