Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], October 19: The 34th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation (ISOT) got underway in Ahmedabad on Friday. The conference marks a crucial moment for India, which is at the forefront of global organ transplantation efforts. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Justice BR Gavai of the Supreme Court, and Justice Sunita Agarwal, Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, graced the opening ceremony.
India currently ranks third in organ transplants worldwide and second in corneal transplants. A landmark was achieved in 2023 when the country reported over 1,000 deceased organ donations for the first time, a significant step in meeting the growing demand for transplants.
In his address, Dr. Vivek Kute, Organising Chairman of the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation 2024 emphasised the importance of deceased organ donations in addressing the rising incidence of end-stage organ failure due to non-communicable diseases and lifestyle diseases.
“India has made remarkable progress in organ transplantation, but with an organ donation rate of less than one per million, we need to intensify our efforts to raise awareness and dispel myths about organ donation. Timely interventions, especially from brain-stem-dead individuals, can save countless lives,” Dr. Kute said, adding that it is important to dispel the many myths and misconceptions associated with organ donation.
In his address, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, described donation of life through organ donation as the noblest of donations. He commended people working for the cause of organ donation and especially noted their role in convincing grieving family members to donate the organs of their deceased loved one.
According to the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), the total number of organ transplants done in the country went up from 4,990 in the year 2013 to 17,168 in the year 2023.
The government of India has implemented various reforms in consultation with states under the “One Nation, One Policy” framework. These include the removal of the state domicile requirement for registering recipients of deceased donor organs, lifting the upper age limit for patients receiving deceased donor organs, and removal of registration fees for patients waiting for a deceased donor organ. These changes are contributing to a more inclusive and equitable system, allowing patients from all parts of the country and of any age to benefit from organ transplants.
Dr Jigar Shrimali, Organising Secretary of ISOT 2024, aid that the conference will host discussions with leading experts and other stakeholders on ways to further improve India’s organ donation ecosystem and explore cutting-edge technologies to enhance transplant outcomes.
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