On 16^th April 2012,  the Government of Kerala invited Cadaver Transplant Programme, Government of Tamil Nadu for a Workshop on Cadaver (deceased) Organ Transplantation. Dr. V. Kanagasabai,  Dean, Madras Medical College &  Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH),  Dr. J. Amalorpavanathan, Convener, Cadaver Transplant Programme, Dr. Vijayakumar, Nephrologist, Vijaya Hospital Chennai and Mr.Vijay, Transplant Coordinator, MOHAN Foundation & RGGGH attended the programme.

The dignitaries who were present at the workshop were:

1)      Dr.Joyce Mathew, Senior Regional Director , Regional Office, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health, Thiruvananthapuram

2)      Mr.Rajeev Sadanandan IAS , Principal Secretary to Government , Department of H & FW , Kerala

3)      Dr.N.K Mohanty, Special DG, DGHS, Ministry of Health, Govt.of India

4)      Dr.V.Shashi Tharoor , Honourable MP, Lok Sabha

5)      Mr.V.S Sivakumar, Honourable Minister for Health & Devaswom, Government of Kerala

6)      Dr.V.Geetha , Director of Medical Education, Kerala

7)      Dr.Jacob George , Head of the Department, Nephrology, Government Medical College Hospital Thiruvananthapuram

8)      Dr.V.Kanagasabai , Dean,  Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai

9)      Dr.J.Amalorpavanathan, Professor of Vascular Surgery & Convenor,  Cadaver Transplant Programme, Government of Tamil Nadu.

10)   Dr.Vijayakumar, Nephrologist, Vijaya Hospital Chennai.

11)   Mr.Vijay, Transplant Coordinator , MOHAN Foundation & Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital

Mr.Rajeev Sadanandan in his talk said that the Tamil Nadu model was well articulated and had built in the necessary guidelines as per the legal framework. This could be adopted and followed up in the state of Kerala.

Dr.Shashi Tharoor, Chief guest for the day stressed that “continuous and periodical sensitization on Organ Donation must be enhanced predominantly.“ He added that he would support this noble cause and pledged for Organ donation.

Dr.K.Mohanty during his presentation spoke about the “ National Transplant Programme “ which is going be streamlined across all the states. He stated that the National Transplant registry would be set up at the centre where the database would be maintained. Also, the need for a Transplant Coordinator is mandatory in every cadaveric organ donation.

Dr.V.Kanagasabai, Dr.J.Amalorpavanathan,  and Dr.Vijayakumar answered queries related to organ donation from the panel members and addressed the dignitaries on how to improve the cadaveric organ donation in the state of Kerala. They also stressed the importance of organ donation and the need for donating organs in the country.

Mr.Vijay, explained the Role of transplant coordinator in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. He also stated that unless and until the family gives consent, organ donation cannot happen and therefore the counselors play a significant role in cadaveric organ donation.