Deceased organ donations decline in Kerala; fingers point to trust issues among the public

Thiruvananthapuram: Organ donations from individuals who have suffered brain death are declining in the state. Meanwhile, the number of organ transplant surgeries from living donors has increased, according to data from K-SOTTO (Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation), which oversees organ donations in the state.

It is believed that various allegations and legal issues surrounding the confirmation of brain death are deterring many individuals from donating. So far this year, only 28 organ transplant surgeries have been conducted from brain-dead individuals in the state, compared to 62 surgeries last year and 218 in 2015.

Although a team has been assigned to confirm brain death, including two specialist doctors from a government panel and hospital doctors, along with a special protocol, no significant results have been observed.

Meanwhile, there is a rising trend in organ donations from living donors. In 2021, there were 1,053 kidney transplant surgeries; this increased to 1,332 in 2022 and 1,033 in 2023. Already this year, more than 1,000 surgeries have taken place, and over 1,000 people are registered and waiting solely for kidney transplants.

In the past two years, over 300 liver transplant surgeries have been conducted from living donors.

Committee at state level to hear complaints

To address complaints related to organ transplants, the government has formed a state-level technical committee. If suspicions arise, including concerns regarding commercial possibilities, the existing district-level government committee often denies permission. Until now, the only recourse has been to approach the court against the committee's decision.

Now, appeals can be made to the state-level technical committee against the decisions of the current committees. If they also deny permission, then only can the court be approached. The additional secretary/joint secretary of the Department of Medical Education serves as the chairperson of the technical committee, while the executive director of K-SOTTO is the convener of the committee.