Rise in organ donation in Karnataka gives hope to those on transplant waitlist

Awareness drives on organ donations in Karnataka appear to be paying off. The effect is now being felt far and wide, with administrations in smaller cities eager to create green corridors to transport organs. Citizens are now signing up for organ donation without hesitation. Local hospitals are reporting a surge in donations, and say organs are relatively easier to access. There is a renewed hope for patients on the waitlist for transplants.

Recently, the liver, kidneys and eyes of Sriman Narayan, 38, employed at Krishna Poultry Farm on Gadige Road in Mysuru, were harvested after he was reported brain-dead in a road accident. Five patients got a fresh lease of life. It was a tough decision for the family, though, said Narayan’s wife M Durga Kalyani, who fulfilled her husband’s wish to donate his organs. She told The Times Of India, “Around two years ago, when I was chatting with my husband, he told me to donate his organs if he dies unexpectedly. I was angry, and scolded him for speaking about death. But it’s fate – he died in an accident, and I did as he had told me to. I feel proud that my husband could give life to five persons. I have also decided to donate my organs.”

Mangaluru, too, has seen several such cases, with three cadaveric organ transplant procedures taking place in the past year. At AJ Hospital and Research Centre, the organs of Jeevan Vijay Fernandes, 24, from Bellur of Bantwal taluk, were harvested after he was declared brain-dead following an accident on April 13, 2015. The family took the decision as Jeevan had expressed his desire to donate his cornea. However, they also consented to harvest other organs. Surgeons from the Zonal Coordination Committee – Karnataka (ZCCK) led by Dr Prashanth Marla, transplant surgeon and Managing Director of AJ Hospital, successfully harvested Jeevan’s heart valves and liver in the first-ever cadaveric organ transplant in Dakshina Kannada, and sent them to Bengaluru.

On July 3, 2015, a ZCCK team harvested organs from Leena Benoy, 42, from Valencia, declared brain-dead after she met with an accident. A green corridor was created for her liver to reach the airport, from where it was transported to Bengaluru on a Jet Airways flight. Another green corridor was created to enable the ambulance transporting her kidney and heart valve to reach Bengaluru by another Jet Airways flight, the same day.

Recently, Think Change India published a story on 11-year-old Bommesh S who has pledged to donate his eyes.

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