The Advanced Transplant Coordinators Workshop, titled Strengthening Practices in Organ Donation and Transplantation, was jointly organized by MOHAN Foundation and NATCO (Network and Alliance of Transplant Coordinators). The workshop was conducted on February 9, 2025, at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, New Delhi, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Senior transplant coordinators with more than five years of experience were invited to enhance their knowledge through this half-day workshop. Transplant coordinators from various regions across India, including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, and NCR, participated in the event. The workshop addressed critical topics expected to shape organ donation and transplantation in the coming years. Faculty members and moderators facilitated presentations and discussions among senior transplant coordinators and experts.
Key Highlights of the Workshop
Financial Neutrality in Deceased Organ Donation
Dr. Thomas Mueller, Co-Chair of the Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group, Senior Advisor Kidney for Swiss Transplant, and a practising nephrologist, elaborated on the genesis of the Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group. He provided insights into the increasing global demand for organs and examined whether financial neutrality for donors and their families is a viable concept. The discussion touched on the ethical and practical implications of such policies, referencing the Tehran model, which supports financial incentives for living kidney donors. He raised pertinent questions about whether the global transplant community is ready to explore incentives for organ donation and how Indian transplant coordinators perceive financial neutrality in deceased organ donation.
The session was chaired by Dr. Ashish Nandwani, Consultant, Department of Nephrology & Renal Transplant Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Delhi, and Dr. Ilango Sethu, Head of the Department, GI Surgery & Solid Organ Transplant, Naruvi Hospital, Vellore.
Intersection of End-of-Life Care, BSD, and Deceased Donation
Dr. Sunil Shroff, Managing Trustee of MOHAN Foundation, Chennai, led an engaging session that began with the results of a survey conducted among senior transplant coordinators on end-of-life care (EOLC) protocols in hospitals. He highlighted the necessity of mandatory EOLC protocols and the critical role of transplant coordinators in communicating difficult news to families.
The discussion also covered topics such as organ donation in the presence of extended family, reasons for family refusals, and challenges associated with brain stem death (BSD) certification in paediatric patients, pregnant women, and snake bite victims.
The panelist’s for this session included Dr. Deepak Gupta, Professor Neurosurgery JPN Apex Trauma Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi; Dr. Amol Mahaldar, Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Manipal Hospital, Goa; Ms. Dhvani Mehta, Co-founder at Vidhi & Lead, Health Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, New Delhi; Iva Pandey, Assistant Manager/Grief Counsellor at Medanta - The Medicity Hospital, Gurugram; and Lt. Col. Chetna Sharma, Senior Transplant Coordinator, AORTA, Army Hospital R&R, New Delhi.
Donation After Circulatory Death – Are We Ready?
Dr. Avnish Seth, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Manipal Hospital, Dwarka & Head, MOST, moderated an insightful discussion on Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD). He provided an overview of DCD pathways and explained the transitions from brain death donation (DBD) to DCD-III and DCD-IV.
The panellsts deliberated on the necessary consent processes for cases transitioning from DBD to DCD. Dr. Shrikanth Srinivasan, Head of Critical Care Medicine at Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, discussed clinical and medical aspects of DCD certification and the importance of time management. Dr. Anant Kumar, Chairman, Urology & Renal Transplant & Robotics, Max Saket Complex, Uro-oncology, Max Hospital, Saket, emphasized transparency with families when donation methods change. The session also touched upon the need for regulatory updates to facilitate DCD implementation in hospitals across India.
Panelists for this session included Dr. Shrikanth Srinivasan, Dr. Anant Kumar, and Dr. Navdeep Bansal, Organ Transplant Coordinator at PGIMER, Chandigarh.
The workshop fostered dynamic discussions among the transplant coordinators, allowing them to share experiences, concerns, and best practices. It successfully provided participants with the latest insights, challenges, and advancements in organ donation and transplantation. Engaging sessions encouraged reflection on evolving transplant protocols and the role of coordinators in improving organ donation outcomes. The thought-provoking discussions and exchange of knowledge have contributed to strengthening practices in the field, ensuring better outcomes for patients and families alike.
The workshop was attended by 53 participants, including faculty and senior transplant coordinators.
Feedback from Participants
Dr. Anant Kumar praised the event, stating that it was highly interactive and engaging. He commended the organizers for a well-executed workshop.
Dr. Thomas Muller expressed his appreciation for being part of the event and meeting a dedicated team. He mentioned that he was returning to Switzerland filled with energy and eager to share his experience with his colleagues.
Iva Pandey conveyed her gratitude for the learning experience and expressed interest in participating in future workshops.
Ms. Dhvani Mehta thanked the organizers for the opportunity and appreciated the gesture of sharing event photographs.
Priti Jain, Transplant Coordinator & Senior Manager, Max Super specialty Hospital, Nagpur, expressed her gratitude, stating, “Thank you for organizing such an insightful workshop. It was a great learning experience, and I truly appreciate the opportunity and look forward to more such engagements.”
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