The Network and Alliance of Transplant Coordinators (NATCO) held its 17th Annual Conference on October 19-20, 2024, at the KD Hospital Auditorium in Ahmedabad. KD Hospital graciously hosted the 2-day conference.
As a national organization committed to the professional growth of transplant coordinators and the promotion of organ and tissue donation in India, NATCO gathered experts and practitioners under the theme “Ethics in Action.” This conference sought to promote dialogue on ethical practices and reinforce the crucial role of transplant coordinators in advancing organ donation.
The conference opened with an inaugural ceremony led by Dr. Sunil Shroff, Managing Trustee of MOHAN Foundation, and Dr. Rakesh Joshi, Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. Their opening remarks set a reflective tone, and they formally released the proceedings of the 16th NATCO conference. Also released was the “Handbook for Registering Hospitals as Transplant Centers” developed by NATCO members.
Several esteemed professionals attended the conference, including:
• Dr. Anil Purohit, Founder & Chairperson, Jodhpur School of Public Health
• Mr. Prashant Ajmera, Founder of Ajmera Law Group
• Dr. Sanjay Nagral, Senior Consultant & Director, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai
• Dr. Sandeep Attawar, Chair & Director, Thoracic Organ Transplants, KIMS Institute, Hyderabad
• Dr. Vrishali Patil, Joint Secretary, ZTCC, Pune
• Prof. Rajesh Chandwani, Associate Professor, IIM Ahmedabad
• Dr. Ravi Mohanka, Director of Liver Transplant Program, Sir H.N. Reliance Hospital, Mumbai
• Dr. Jamal Rizvi, Professor of Urology, IKDRC-ITS, Ahmedabad
• Dr. Bharat Shah, Director, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Mumbai
• Dr. Mehul Panchal, Director of Medical Services, Kiran Multi Super Specialty Hospital, Surat
• Dr. Umesh Godhani, Consultant Nephrologist, Devasya Kidney Hospitals and SAL & Shalby Hospitals, Ahmedabad
• Dr Sanjay Dixit, Dean, MGM Medical College, Indore
Day 1 Highlights
The first day featured sessions on various aspects of organ donation and transplantation.
Topics included:
• Insights into successful deceased organ donation programs in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Manipur
• Advances in patient care post-transplant
• Reflections on 2023 achievements and challenges faced by NGOs, with input from organizations like MF Jaipur Citizen Forum, Muskaan, ORGAN India, Shatayu, Shine India, Rotary Club of Organ Donation, Eye Bank Society of Rajasthan, and Bengal Organ Donation Society.
The free paper session drew participation from delegates across India, who presented podium and poster sessions on various topics. Dr. Vrishali Patil, Dr. Jamal Rizvi, and Prof. Rajesh Chandwani served as judges for these presentations, assessing the innovative ideas and field experiences shared.
An emotional highlight of the conference was the screening of God Vulture and Human, a documentary directed and produced by Rishiraj Agarwal and conceptualized and co-produced by Prof. Rajesh Chandwani. The film offers a unique perspective on organ donation through the experiences of transplant coordinators, emphasizing their critical role in donation, retrieval, and transplantation processes. The film resonated deeply with the audience, encouraging reflection on the human side of organ donation and the ethical responsibilities inherent in the field.
Day 2 Highlights
On the second day, sessions addressed:
• Recent trends in organ donation at government hospitals, with insights from AIIMS Raipur & Bhubaneswar, JNIMS Imphal, and GMC Nagpur
• The Declaration of Istanbul and its relevance to India
• Enhancing documentation skills for transplant coordinators to improve protective measures
• Utilization of government schemes for transplants and practical realities on the ground
• Establishing crowdfunding for underprivileged patients requiring transplants
One of the highlights of the second day was the Swami Narayan Memorial Oration delivered by Padmashree awardee Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan, Managing Founder Director of the Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development. Her address inspired many as she shared her personal journey, emphasizing the ethical and societal impact of organ donation.
The conference concluded with a valedictory session. Ms. Pallavi Kumar summarized key takeaways from the event, expressing gratitude to all participants and organizers. Dr. Hemal Kanvinde announced the winners of the Swami Narayan Best TC Award and the Free Paper/Poster Presentation awards. All delegates received participation certificates, marking the end of a successful and impactful conference.
With nearly 165 participants, including transplant coordinators and faculty from institutions across the country, the conference offered a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, professional growth, and networking. It reaffirmed NATCO’s commitment to ethical practices and the advancement of transplantation efforts in India. Throughout the conference, presentations from transplant coordinators highlighted their dedication and provided insights into the challenges and rewards of their work in the field.
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