Times of India
21 April 2010
Mumbai, India

In July last year, Nagothane resident Kasinath Chendane died without fulfilling his dream of donating his organs. His family members were told that the octogenerian was too old to donate his organs, but they managed to donate his entire body for medical research.

Chendane’s 13th day function was observed by his family in a unique way: they called ZTCC coordinator Sujata Ashtekar to give a talk on organ donation. “The talk not only motivated Chendane’s family, but also the 100–odd guests,” said Ashtekar.

In the last year, there has been a surge of interest in organ donation. The figures say it all–2009 saw a record number of donations for Mumbai with 36 kidneys and six livers. This year has already seen 10 kidney donations and six liver donations–a happy figure compared to the single–digit donations from 1997 onwards.

At a press conference held at KEM Hospital in Parel on Tuesday, transplant surgeon Dr Sanjay Nagral said, “People come to us, wanting to donate organs. I believe there will be a surge in organ donations. It has already started and it will grow soon.”

There has been an increase in the number of hospitals that have registered themselves with ZTCC as organ donation and retrieval centres, said Dr N Hase, who heads the nephrology department of KEM Hospital. New hospitals that have come up or are coming up in the suburbs have applied for recognition as organ donation centres.

Among citizens, there is more interest about cadaver donation–one of the reasons is because it is seen as a foolproof method against the infamous kidney bazaar that was busted in major metros a couple of years ago. The ZTCC team, for instance, is regularly called to give talks at colleges, mahila mandals and community–based organisations. “We have also approached the police force for sensitization talks. The first talk was held on January 4 at Bhiwandi police station,” said Ashtekar.