Covid takes a toll on cadaver donations

Aurangabad, June 29:

From the past one and a half years, cadaver donations have come to a halt in hospitals in the city. The last cadaver donation was made in October 2019 in the city.

Since March 2020, cadaver donations and all transplant surgeries were discontinued across the country due to the spread of Covid-19. However, since January 2021, organ donations (live donations) and transplant surgeries have been started by a small number of hospitals in the city. Gradually, cadaver donations began in various cities, but the fact is that no cadaver donation has taken place in Marathwada after October 2019. The first cadaver transplant in Marathwada took place on August 16, 2016 in a private hospital in Aurangabad. From October to November 2019, about 100 organ donations were performed by 25 brain dead donors. Since then, cadaver donations have stalled due to coronavirus.

Need to take lead

Stringent protocol to avoid infection in both receiver and donor are being followed. Hospitals need to declare brain deaths in time. Hospitals are expected to take the lead, noting that there is no way forward for organ donation without it.” said ZTCC Marathwada president Sudhir Kulkarni.

Delay in announcing brain deaths

According to sources, the hospital in which the patient is brain dead has to declare the relevant case as brain dead within a specific time limit. Only after that, efforts for actual organ donation be initiated and all legal matters be settled. However, there have been complaints that no brain deaths are being reported, which has led to the fact that no cadaver donation has taken place in a year and a half, sources said.