CME – Deceased organ Donation- A new ray of hope towards life

Deceased organ donation is around only 0.34 per million which is very low compared to the rate in the other developed countries. The act has gained momentum and the role of an Anaesthesiologist in the process of transplantation is unequivocal, however, the role of Anaesthesiologist in the process of maintenance of a brain stem dead / deceased patient and during the retrieval of organs is poorly understood and appreciated. Moreover, donations of kidney, liver, heart, lungs, eyes are known, myths and misconceptions involving bone, skin retrieval exist.

Transplantation of Human Organ Act (THOA) was passed in 1994 and after maturing through many loopholes is now in its silver jubilee year, this year 2019. A CME commemorating the act ‘Deceased Organ Donation – A ray of Hope towards life’ was organised by ISA, Nagpur City Branch along with Department of Anaesthesiology, Indira Gandhi Govt. Medical College, Nagpur, on 30th of June 2019, Sunday, at Lecture Hall, Surgical Complex, IGGMC, Nagpur.

The eminent faculties were Dr. Vijay Shetty, Consultant Cardiac Anaesthesiologist and cardiac transplant Anaesthesiologist, Fortis Hospital, Mumbai, Dr. N G Tirpude, Prof. & Head, Department of Anaesthesiology, GMC, Nagpur, Dr. VC Shelgaonkar, Prof. & Head, Department of Anaesthesiology, IGGMC, Nagpur, Dr. Abhijit Kale, Associate Prof., Department of Orthopaedics, LTMGH&MC, Mumbai, Dr. Prakash Khetan, Consultant Nephrologist, Shravan Hospital, Nagpur, Dr. Rahul Saxena, Liver Transplant and hepato-biliary surgeon, Nagpur, Dr. Sameer Jahagirdar, Plastic Surgeon, OCHRI, Nagpur, Dr. Rajurkar, Senior Consultant Anaesthesiologist, Nagpur & Jaya Jairam, Co-ordinator, MOHAN foundation, Mumbai and delivered highly informative lectures both academically and regarding legal aspects of organ retrieval.

The chairpersons for the various sessions were Dr. Manjrekar, Dr. Anjali Savargaonkar, Dr. Lawange, Dr. Sheetal Dalal, Dr. Koichade & Dr. Bhople. Dr. Sarita Joglekar & Dr. Kiran Vyawhare played moderators for the panel discussion.

Dr. Ajay Keoliya accepted to be the Chief guest of the CME & Dr. Manjrekar, Prof & Superintendent was the Patron of the CME. The CME started with samai prajwalan. Dr. Manisha Shembekar; President, ISA-NCB welcomed august the gathering, stressing on the importance of organ retrieval being the need of hour, as there is a huge gap between demand and supply. Dr. VC Shelgaonkar, conceptualized the idea behind the CME, highlighted on the role of an Anaesthesiologist in the process of deceased Organ retrieval. Dr. Keoliya congratulated ISA NCB & Department of Anaesthesiology, IGGMC, Nagpur for the CME on a novel subject and appreciated the efforts taken for the it.

The main attraction was the eye-opening lecture given by Dr. Vibhavari Dani, ex-Dean, GMC & IGGMC, Nagpur and serving as President, ZTCC (Zonal Transplant Centre Co-ordinator) on the enormous combined efforts taken by the ZTCC coordinators to just make one organ retrieval and transplantation successful.

Dr. Fatima Lulu, Prof., Department of Anaesthesiology, GMC, Nagpur was the MMC Observer for the CME. Around 160 delegates from all over Vidarbha registered for the CME. The masters of ceremony were Dr. Amrusha Raipure and Dr. Vikas Choudhari. Dr. Soma Cham, Hon. Secretary, ISA-NCB proposed Vote of Thanks.