Cadaver transplant – a boon for exploitation

The Health Ministry of the Indian government seems to be promoting cadaveric transplants of organs. Doctors at Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai declared a 35 year women, who suffered brain hemorrhage, brain dead, and the five organs: liver, two kidneys and two corneas were transplanted on five patients. However, in India, cadaveric transplants accounted for only 0.1% of all transplants and there is potential for improve this to 10-15%. Over the years, cadaver organ transplant has been gradually developing into a feasible and comparatively cost-effective method in restoring the health of patients and this is a boon to all patients who suffer from organ failures due to some reason or the other. Lakhs of people die of organ failures every year. This hi-tech procedure will also discourage needy people from visiting illegal organ “bazaars” mushrooming in the country.

Apart from the moral and ethical issues with respect to the cadaver organ transplants, Government should bring out clear cut policy / guidelines to regulate this beneficial procedure. Some of the important issues connected with the procedure are: the individual’s advance, explicit consent in order to acquire his organs upon death, motive for such consent, objections from the relatives of the diseased for removal of the organs, transported a brain dead victim by road/air in under Intensive Care from one place to other, misuse of the procedure by the relatives/friends and unscrupulous elements for monetary gains, etc. Let this procedure be given wide publicity through television/newspapers to sensitize the public.