Hospitals and non-governmental organisations (NGO's) should work together to create awareness about the importance of organ donation in the country. Initiative should be taken by the government for public private partnership (PPP) with hospitals to encourage affordable organ transplantation and to increase awareness about the organ donation, especially cadaver organ donation, said world renowned hepatobilary, pancreatic and liver transplant surgeon Dr Mohamed Rela.

There is a need to address the importance of cadaver organ donation in this country where the demand for organs for transplant is far more higher than the supply. For instance the rate of people suffering from liver diseases is increasing everyday. Most of the liver ailments are caused due to hepatitis B, hepatitis C or liver cirrhosis. Patient suffering from any of these is assessed to have a life expectancy of less than a year and should be considered for a transplant.

For a liver transplant a liver is either obtained by a living donor or through cadaver donation. In India there is need for about 20,000 transplants a year however due to lack of liver donation, money etc, only about 200 to 300 operations are conducted a year. Dr Mohamed Rela, who is also the head of liver transplant unit, Global Hospitals Group, informed, "Cadaver donation is just about 100 a year in our country which amounts to only 0.01 per cent compared to the western world. We need to focus on increasing cadaver liver donation so that more people can be given a chance to save their life."

Dr Ravindranath, CMD, Global Hospitals feels that in spite of the potential for cadaver organ donation in India there are many roadblocks that come in the way. There is lack of awareness about organ donation after death, poor ICU infrastructure, poor co-ordination and lack of appropriate legislations to remove legal hassles in organ transportation around the country.

"At present the need for liver transplants exceeds the supply of available donor organs. As a result, many patients continue to die while awaiting a life-saving transplant. Allocation of organs is strictly done based on the blood group which must match, time on waiting list and urgency of requirement," opined Dr Rela.

Global hospitals has been working with Multi-Organ Harvesting Aid Network (MOHAN), a Chennai-based NGO to create awareness about cadaver organ donation and the importance it holds in saving human life. Dr Ravindranath informed that the hard work is paying off well, since there has been an increase in the number of people coming forward with request for cadaver organ donation.

Dr Ravindranath said that when it comes to liver transplantation or any organ transplantation affordability is an issue. A liver transplant can be performed at the cost of around Rs 20 to 30 lakh, although this is beyond the reach of the majority of Indians, it might well be the only hope for some patients. "We try our level best to provide the best we can do to help our patients. We do provide subsidised liver transplantation for children at our hospitals at about 12 to 13 lakh when the cost can be as high as 20 lakh." Over the time the hospital have conducted over 52 liver transplants with 90 per cent survival rate.

Dr Ravindranath added "We would be very happy to enter into public private partnership (PPP) with the government so that we could provide services to the needy patients at an affordable rate."

It is imperative that government should come forward and collaborate with hospitals and NGO's to create awareness on cadaver organ donation.