145;Launch campaigns in schools, colleges146;

We need to send this message to the people of the state and sensitise them. We have already started a campaign in schools and colleges of the state.

Ques But political will is necessary to get substantial results.

That is right. And that is why conferences like the one we organised in association with Indian Society of Organ Transplant ISOT can go a long way in arriving at some conclusion so that laws can be made and process simplified. The CM has also agreed to work towards this cause and we will submit a report to the government over what can be done by the state government. Leaders who participated in the conference will also spread this message around. Religious leaders can also play an important role.

Ques What is the organ donation scenario in the state as regards cadaver donation?

It is nil. There has been no cadaver donation in the state insofar as my knowledge is concerned. In fact, it has been almost non-existent in the country, let alone the state. I have done over 1,000 transplants so far in my career spanning 14 years but all these were carried out from living donors.

Ques How can the gap between demand and supply be bridged?

There is a demand of about 1.5 lakh kidneys every year but due to scarcity of donors, only a very few of them 3000-5000 get kidney transplants. This can be dealt with only when there is sufficient number of cadaver donors.