The third day on Angels of Change Program started at 11:30 am on 17^th June 2017 at Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, Royapuram. Students from Tagore Medical College, 5 life members of MOHAN Foundation and Marketing Executive from 104 a Government Medical Helpline of Tamil Nadu participated in the program. This interaction was organised by the Department of Surgical  gastroenterology  and Liver Transplant of Stanley Medical at the initiative of Dr. Sathish Loginathan.

The program started with a presentation by Prof. Grand, MS., MCH, Professor and Head of the Dept of Neurosurgery explaining about Brain Death Certification. He explained briefly about how the hospital certifies brain death, apnea test and time gap between each apnea test. He also mentioned that ICU nurses have been trained to keep a special vigil for patients whose condition may deteriorate into brain death. Every participant were very much interested in the topic and learned about brain death clearly.

Followed by Dr. G.P. Arul Raj, Senior Consultant Anesthesiology, Dept of Surgical Gastroenterology and Liver Transplant gave a brief on “Brain Death Patients maintenance and harvest. The speaker touched upon all aspects physiological condition under brain death and how organs can be kept at optimal conditions. He also spoke of his experience in dealing with donor families. Many question were raised by the participants, every questions were explained patiently by Dr. G.P. Arul Raj.

The next speaker was Prof. Jaswanth MS., MCH, Gastro Dept of Surgical Gastroenterology and Liver transplant. He gave an overview of liver transplantation surgery. He asked many questions to the volunteers about the functions and diseases of liver. The highlight was the video presentation liver transplant from a live donor and from a deceased donor.  The volunteers watched the video with great attention and enjoyed the session.

Dr. S. Sujit, Assistant Professor, Stanley Medical College shared his experience about “Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant in Stanley Hospital. He gave an in-depth view of Kidney Transplantation, cross match,  the need for HLA typing  and immunosuppression.  The volunteers clarified their doubts.

Dr. Hemal Kanvinde of MOHAN Foundation thanked the Department of SGE and Dr. Satish for his efforts.  Dr. Sree of Tagore Medical College also appreciated the effort of the doctors from Stanley Medical college. She said that the quality and manner of teaching was excellent and it was a positive  experience for her students.

This was followed by an interaction with Ms Nalini, grief counselor cum transplant coordinator and Mr. Prem Kumar, a liver recipient. Mr. Prem Kumar, spoke how his condition was diagnosed, how it takes a long time for registration in a Government hospital. He said he was extremely lucky to be able to receive an organ within a year of registration.  He explained his life immediately after surgery – the isolation made him rethink his dreams.  He said his close family members have pledged their organs and his close friends know about his special needs and take care of him. He is looking forward to a job and  to begin his life again.

Ms. Nalini began by explaining her daily duty at Stanley Hospital. She spoke of the series of events that happen when a deceased donor is identified and family gives consent. How she will not approach a family of a potential donor. She explained her work post donation. She also spoke of the protocol followed by the hospital for organ failure patients and the maintenance of a web based registry that is linked with the state registry.  When asked about what motivates her, Nalini said that her life was moulded on the generosity of others and that made her take social work and counseling as a profession.

The volunteers then regrouped into their groups and discussed their plans for public awareness. MOHAN Foundation thanks Dr. Sathish Loginathan and all the speakers  for making  this a grand success.