‘550 kidney transplants conducted at SKIMS’

Kupwara, Nov 6: Renowned Urologist and HOD Urology & Kidney Transplant Unit Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Dr M Saleem Wani Monday said that at least 550 kidney transplants were carried out at SKIMS for last many years. He said that it was the need of the hour to spread awareness about organ donation and religious leaders including those of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and others can play a vital role in spreading the awareness.

Dr Saleem was talking to the media on the sidelines of “Organ Donation Awareness” programme held at Government Medical College Handwara.

Professor M Saleem Wani said that every religion permits organic donation so there was nothing adverse in donating organs. He encouraged everyone to pledge online for organ donation.

He said that there is a dearth of donors because “we have to take organs from live donors.” “To cope up with this we can take organs from brain stem death persons. Brain stem death persons happen to be at the verge of death and can’t live without support. They can save eight persons if kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, intestines, pancreas and cornea are taken from them for those who are in need,” he added.

He said that organ donation has already gained momentum and was successful in Muslim countries so it was the need of the hour to spread awareness in this part of the world also.

To a question that kidney failure among young people has witnessed a steep rise, he said that diabetes, hypertension and most importantly drug abuse are the main reasons for kidney failure among young people. “Once kidneys fail, there is no alternative to kidney transplant after dialysis”.

Earlier Jammu and Kashmir State Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO) organised an awareness programme for faculty, students and paramedical staff of GMC Handwara in association with Hospital Administration Department of GMC Handwara.

Principal GMC Handwara, Prof Dr Iffat Hassan presided over the event and Prof Dr M Saleem Wani, Head Department of Urology and Kidney Transplant Unit, SKIMS, Srinagar was the guest of honour.

Head of Urology GMC Jammu cum Nodal Officer SOTTO J&K, Dr Elias Sharma, gave a detailed presentation on Human Organ Donation and Transplantation and he clarified various myths associated with it. He said that only cadaveric organ donation in India can be the answer to fill the gap between demand and availability of organs, thereby saving many lives.

Joint Director, SOTTO J&K, Dr Sanjeev Puri explained the importance of the National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP) in India which was launched under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to give impetus to the cadaveric donation. He also described steps to register in Organ Donation Pledge Drive under Ayushman Bhav to become an organ donor.

The event was coordinated by Assistant Prof Dr Mohd Sarwar, Hospital Administration Department, GMC Handwara.