India achieves a milestone of more than 15 thousand transplants in a year for the first time in 2022
It was stated by Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan during the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation Scientific Dialogue 2023 on February 19.
This achievement indicates an annual increase of 27% in transplant numbers, and reflects the positive outlook of the country in organ and tissue transplants. The Health Secretary attributed the fast resurgence in transplant activities post-COVID to programmatic restructuring, communication strategy, and professional skilling as the top priority areas.
Organ and tissue transplants have emerged as a ray of hope for patients suffering from organ failure or tissue damage. These transplants are life-saving procedures that involve replacing a diseased, damaged or missing organ or tissue with a healthy one from a donor.
In recent times, the advances in medical technology and the increased availability of organ donors have led to an increase in the number of successful organ and tissue transplants. However, there is still a significant shortage of donor organs, which leads to a long waiting time for patients who need them.
Organ transplants:
Organ transplants refer to the surgical procedure of replacing a diseased or damaged organ with a healthy one from a deceased or living donor. The most commonly transplanted organs include the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, and pancreas.
Major Organ Transplants:
|
Organ |
Transplant Procedure |
|
Kidney |
Kidney transplants are the most common type of organ transplant, as the kidney is the most frequently donated organ. The procedure involves removing a kidney from a living or deceased donor and transplanting it into the recipient. The success rate of kidney transplants is high, and the recovery time is relatively short. |
|
Liver |
Liver transplant is a complex procedure that involves the removal of a diseased liver and replacing it with a healthy one from a deceased or living donor. This procedure is recommended for patients suffering from severe liver damage due to cirrhosis, cancer, or other diseases. |
|
Heart |
Heart transplant is a life-saving procedure for patients with end-stage heart failure. It involves the removal of a diseased heart and replacing it with a healthy one from a deceased donor. The success rate of heart transplants has improved significantly in recent years due to advancements in surgical techniques and immunosuppressive drugs. |
|
Lung |
Lung transplant is recommended for patients with end-stage lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary fibrosis. The procedure involves removing the damaged lung and replacing it with a healthy one from a deceased donor. |
Tissue Transplants:
Tissue transplants refer to the surgical procedure of transplanting healthy tissues from a donor to a recipient. The most commonly transplanted tissues include cornea, bone, skin, and heart valves.
Major Tissue Transplants:
|
Organ |
Transplant Procedure |
|
Cornea |
Cornea transplant is a common procedure that involves replacing a damaged or diseased cornea with a healthy one from a deceased donor. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, and the recovery time is relatively short. |
|
Bone |
Bone transplant is recommended for patients with bone injuries, fractures, or diseases such as osteoporosis. The procedure involves transplanting healthy bone tissue from a deceased donor to the recipient. |
|
Skin |
Skin transplant is recommended for patients with severe burns, skin injuries, or diseases such as skin cancer. The procedure involves transplanting healthy skin tissue from a deceased donor to the recipient. |
|
Heart Valve |
Heart valve transplant is recommended for patients with heart valve diseases such as stenosis or regurgitation. The procedure involves replacing the damaged heart valve with a healthy one from a deceased donor. |
The success rate of transplant procedures have improved significantly in recent years, but there is still a significant shortage of donor organs. Therefore, it is essential to raise awareness about organ donation and encourage people to become organ donors. With increased awareness and availability of donor organs, we can save many lives and make a significant impact in the field of medical science.