GUWAHATI: In a bid to address the alarming rise in road accidents and improve healthcare facilities, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced plans to establish an organ transplantation ecosystem in the state.
Speaking at the Swasthya Seva Utsav, the CM highlighted the higher incidence of road accidents in Assam, resulting in the loss of numerous lives each year.
Comparing the progress made by states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where organ transplantation has seen significant advancements, the Assam government aims to replicate their success.
Initially, the plan is to introduce organ transplant services in one or two private hospitals, followed swiftly by government hospitals. The objective is to make organ transplants easily accessible to those in need.
The lack of an organ transplant ecosystem has led to long waiting periods for individuals requiring liver, kidney, and retina transplants, sometimes lasting several months or even years.
“The success of such an endeavour hinge on maintaining stringent hygiene standards, which can be challenging in government hospitals. However, with the collaboration between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the government, and the establishment of super speciality hospitals, the opportunity arises for government medical colleges and hospitals to conduct transplants as well,” Sarma further said.
To ensure effective implementation, the CM emphasised the need for various levels of sophistication and the designation of specialised hospitals for specific transplant procedures. For instance, one government hospital could specialise in liver transplants, while another focuses on kidney transplants, and so forth.
The Assam CM took to Twitter and stated, We have sufficient clinical evidence to suggest that one organ donor can save up to 7 human lives. To scale up this effort we want to create a robust organ transplantation ecosystem in Assam."
We have sufficient clinical evidence to suggest that one organ donor can save upto 7 human lives.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 5, 2023
To scale up this effort we want to create a robust organ transplantation ecosystem in Assam. #SwasthyaSevaUtsav pic.twitter.com/VYoUykmHvl
The Health Department and the Medical Association have been urged to explore the necessary legal framework to facilitate organ transplants, bringing hope to countless individuals awaiting life-saving procedures.
