TRIOMPH (Transplant Recipients of India and Organ failure patients - a Movement to Provide Hope), the Patient Support Group initiative of MOHAN Foundation, in association with Nephroplus organized a virtual workshop to create awareness about renal transplants among patients undergoing dialysis on 25^th September 2021. This workshop in Tamil was the second in a two-part series. Ms. Ishwarya Thyagarajan, Research Associate of MOHAN Foundation was the main speaker and Mr. Muthukumaraswamy S, a kidney transplant recipient from Pondicherry was present to share his experiences. The session was livestreamed on MOHAN Foundation’s YouTube channel and the social media pages of Nephroplus. 

Ms. Ishwarya, began her talk by giving an overview of the workshop, introducing Mr. Muthukumaraswamy and thanking Nephroplus for the opportunity. The following points were the highlight of the talk delivered:

• challenges faced by dialysis patients
• dialysis versus kidney transplant – the financial burden involved
• steps in preparing for a transplant
• dos and don’ts pre- and post-transplant
• quality of life after transplant
• procedures involved in living donor and deceased donor kidney transplants
• requirements in accordance with the transplant law for organ donation and transplantation the state and national funding schemes available for transplant surgeries
• non-governmental organisations / crowd funding platforms providing financial assistance 

Mr. Muthukumaraswamy then shared his experience of being diagnosed with kidney failure, family’s reaction, challenges faced during dialysis, registering for transplant and how his personal and professional life was affected by all of this. He went on to mention that both he and his family were fearful of the surgery itself and what the future had in store post-transplant. He elaborated on the pre- and post-transplant measures taken, adherence to medicines prescribed, and adequate/appropriate food consumption. He emphasized how transplant could turn around one’s life and importance on regular follow-ups post-transplant. He thanked his donor and their family and advised that the younger generation be mindful of their food habits and focus on staying fit. 

Ms. Ishwarya thanked Mr. Muthukumaraswamy, Nephroplus team and the organizing team from MOHAN Foundation as the session ended. The talk was viewed by 111 people on Facebook and 29 on YouTube

Clcik here to watch the video