Mangaluru: To mark “World Kidney Day” (WKD) which takes place every year on second Thursday of March, AJ Hospital and Research Centre (AJFRC) in association with Zonal Coordination Committee of Karnataka (ZCCK) for Transplantation organized a Awareness programme on Kidney Disease and Children, which included talks on “The Role of ZCCK in Organ Donation, on “Cadaveric Organ Donation-Need of the Hour”, and on ” Renal Transplant Work Up Plan” – the programme was held at AJHRC conference hall, on Thursday, 10 March from 10 am onwards.
The programme began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song, followed by welcome address by Lidwin D’Souza- AJHRC Marketing Dept. Executive. The programme was inaugurated by lighting the traditional lamp by chief guest- Patricia Viego-Senior Transplant Coordinator, ZCCK-Bangalore, along with other dignitaries on the dais namely- Dr Prashanth Marla-Medical Director- AJHRC, Dr Amita Marla- Director, AJHRC, Dr SP Shenoy- Consultant Urologist, Dr Raghavendra Nayak- Consultant Nephrologist, and Dr Preetham Sharma- Urologist- all three from AJHRC.
Addressing the gathering, Dr SP Shenoy- Consultant Urologist, AJHRC speaking on ‘World Kidney Day’ said, ” World Kidney Day 2016 with ‘Move your Feet’ campaign urges everyone around the globe, from all cultures and ages, to keep fit and active. This campaign is a symbol to encourage people to maintain a minimum level of physical activity in any way they can, with their own means and frequency, regardless of their physical condition. Small steps can make a difference to keep healthy kidneys and we value every single effort. We should not celebrate WKD only one day, but observe it every single day to bring awareness and prevent Kidney diseases”.
Dr Shenoy further said, “The World Kidney Day Team passionately believes it is important we make the general public aware of kidney diseases which affect millions of people worldwide, including many children who may be at risk of kidney disease at an early age. It is therefore crucial that we encourage and facilitate education, early detection and a healthy life style in children, starting at birth and continuing through to old age, to combat the increase of preventable kidney damage including acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease and to treat children with inborn and acquired disorders of the kidney. So, while we are observing WKD, let’s join forces once again to inform parents, caregivers, young patients, policy makers and the general public of the importance of identifying and treating childhood kidney diseases, instilling an awareness of the risks for their future from kidney damage that originates in childhood, therefore building healthier future generations! Let’s make much use of this awareness programme today”
Talk on “Cadaveric Organ Donation (COD)- Need of the Hour” :
Dr Prashanth Marla- Medical Director and Consultant Urologist, AJHRC who was suppose to give a elaborate talk on this subject, only gave a brief intro pertaining to Cadaveric Organ Donation saying that, “There are estimated about 160 people per million who end up in end stage kidney failure, for which transplantation is the best option. Each cadaveric donor can give fresh lease of life to about 50 people, but in India only Liver, Kidneys, Heart valve, Heart and Corneal donations are common.What is brain dead? If a person with head injury, where all the organs function normally except the brain stem (an irreversible condition) is neurologically defined as “brain dead”. Their heart beats but the lungs need to be expanded by mechanical ventilatory support to maintain body oxygenation. If left, patient would be dependent on ventilator forever till the heart seizes / stops its function. I am overwhelmed that this project that I implemented at AJHRC has been successful, and already couple of COD have taken place at AJHRC”.
Taking over from Dr Marla, Dr Preetham Sharma- Consultant Urologist, AJHRC proceeded further with COD details, where he said,” Cadaveric donation comprises organ donation—that is, taking organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas) from brain dead people, as well as tissue donation, meaning taking tissues (skin, corneas, tendons, bone) from brain dead as well as heart dead people. Human to human transplantation of organs has been accepted by healthcare professionals all over the world as the best, and often the only one for a wide range of fatal diseases such as end stage kidney failure. It has been one of the greatest advances of medical science that has resulted in many people getting a renewed lease of life. Experts say that the organs from one donor can save as many as 8 lives”.
“Organ donation is fast developing into a major treatment protocol. However, it is yet to make a significant dent in India. Every year, hundreds of people die while waiting for an organ transplant. Due to lack of awareness and misconceptions, there is a shortage of organ donors, and with each passing year, the gap between the number of organs donated and the people waiting for organ donation is getting larger. Some disturbing stats around the same are as follows: Almost 1.75 lakh people in India need a kidney; however, less than 5000 of them receive one, Only 1 out of 30 people who need a kidney receive one, 90% of people in the waiting list die without getting an organ”
“However, this concept of COD has not caught on well in India for want of public education and awareness. Here are key reasons for the shortage of organ donors in India : Ignorance and Lack of Knowledge – There is a major lack of awareness about cadaveric organ transplant in India, and people would come forth if they received more information and ways to register for organ donation., Myths and Beliefs – The Indian society, mired in traditional beliefs, is not very amenable to the idea of cadaver organ transplants. What they fail to realize is that in a country with a long waiting list of transplants, they are spoiling the chance of someone leading a normal life, just because they want to consign the whole body to last rites, Expressing one’s wish to donate – Failure to record one’s wish about organ donation after death with a health care facility or with family members also is a major reason for the shortage of donors in India. I am glad that AJHRC is constantly coming out with various awareness projects on COD, so that citizens can come forward and donate their organs”.
Talk on ” The Role of ZCCK in Organ Donation” by Patricia Viego :
Government of India has passed Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) in 1994 which was adopted by government of Karnataka on April 4, 1995. It legalized brain death facilitating cadaveric organ transplantation. A committee has been formed to make rules, regulations and conditions for cadaveric transplantation, Transplantation of human organ act 1994, For the regulation on removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs for therapeutic purpose,To stop commercial dealing in organs especially kidneys, Accepting brain death as a definition of death. Defining that, only first degree relatives can donate kidneys in case of related transplant operations.
Purpose of the Zonal Coordination Committee of Karnataka is To implement a sustained cadaveric transplant program in the state of Karnataka thereby increasing availability and access to donor organs for patients with end stage organ failure. Establish effective cadaver organ procurement and just distribution. The aim and objectives of ZCCK is to -Set up a system of organ sharing so as to : Apply organ allocation criteria, Provide a system by which immunologically sensitized patients are offered best possible opportunities, Minimize wastage of organs, Assure quality control by collection, analysis & publications of data on organ donation, procurement & transplantation, Increase public awareness, and To Facilitate the availability of organ donors by conduction awareness programs, events and workshops.
For more details contact : Zonal Coordination Committee of Karnataka (ZCCK) Near OPD, NIMHANS, Hosur Road, Bangalore – 560 029 Mobile : +91 9845006768 Email : zcckbangalore@gmail.com
Talk on “Renal Transplant Work Up Plan” by Urologist Dr Raghavendra Nayak :
A successful kidney transplant offers enhanced quality and duration of life and is more effective (medically and economically) than long-term dialysis therapy for patients with chronic or end-stage renal disease. Transplantation is the renal replacement modality of choice for patients with diabetic nephropathy and pediatric patients. The ultra-sonograms below illustrate several scenarios associated with kidney transplantation. Candidates for renal transplantation undergo an extensive evaluation to identify factors that may have an adverse effect on outcome. Virtually all transplant programs have a formal committee that meets regularly to discuss the results of evaluation and select medically suitable candidates to place on the waiting list.
Emphasize identifying and treating all coexisting medical problems that may increase the morbidity and mortality rates of the surgical procedure and adversely impact the post transplant course. In addition to a thorough medical evaluation, evaluate the social issues of the patient to determine conditions that may jeopardize the outcome of transplantation, such as financial and travel restraints or a pattern of noncompliance.
A complete cardiac workup, including angiography, is not necessary in every transplant candidate, but patients with a significant history, symptoms, type 1 diabetes, or hypertensive renal disease should undergo a thorough evaluation to rule out significant coronary artery disease (CAD). Special procedures may be indicated in selected patients on the basis of findings revealed in the history and physical examination. Various tests/procedures are done like -Transplant ultra-sonography to identify urinary obstruction, Immunologic evaluation, Pre-transplant surgical interventions. The medical workup may reveal circumstances that necessitate surgical intervention to prepare the patient for kidney transplantation.
Farooq – a recipient of Organ Transplant done at AJHRC
During the occasion, Mr Farooq who had undergone a organ transplant surgery at AJHRC addressed the audience about his experience and benefits of transplantation. Two relatives of Vineeth Raj U, who was a recent Cadaveric Organ Donor also graced the occasion, and they where thanked by Dr Marla for supporting a good cause. In the slogan writing contest pertaining to Kidney Disease and Organ Donation, Rahul D Pawaskar (III MBBS at AJHRC) won the first place, while Bealah Kiziah (Diploma in Dialysis- III Year student-AJHRC) bagged the second place- both were presented with their prizes by Dr P Marla.
Mrs Leelavathi Hegde- Dialysis Unit In-Charge proposed the vote of thanks, while Aparna Hegde and Sajna Gafoor professionally compered the programme. I end this report with a thought-provoking and appropriate poem ” To Remember Me” by American Poet Robert N. Test, pertaining to “Organ Donation”
“Give my sight to the man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby’s face, or love in the eyes of a woman.
Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain.
Give my blood to the teenager who was pulled from the wreckage of his car, so that he might live to see his grandchildren play.
Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist from week to week.
Take my bones, every muscle, every fiber and nerve in my body and find a way to make a crippled child walk.
If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses, and all prejudice against my fellow man.
Give my sins to the devil.
Give my soul to God.
If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.”
