The collaboration between NHSBT UK and MOHAN Foundation marks a significant milestone in addressing the critical shortage of organs across Commonwealth countries, at the Commonwealth Tribute to Life Conference.

The launch of the groundbreaking app designed to facilitate safe and ethical Donation after cardiac or Circulatory Death protocols signifies a proactive step towards overcoming the persistent gap between organ demand and availability. This innovative solution holds the potential to streamline organ donation and transplantation processes, ultimately saving lives and improving healthcare outcomes on a global scale.

In India, there are 8.4 million people who die every year, this app opens a new opportunity for organ donation and help overcome organ shortage. By leveraging technology and collaboration, this initiative not only aligns with India's efforts to enhance its organ donation infrastructure but also underscores the country's commitment to global health equity within the Commonwealth network.

Shortage of Organs: Over 500,000 Indians face end-stage organ failure annually, but only around 17,000 transplants took place in India in 2023 and more than 83% of those were primarily from living donors. There is a pressing need to improve deceased organ donation rates. India mostly practices Donation after Brain Death and has a poor deceased donation rate of 0.7 per million population, exacerbated by lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Dr Sunil Shroff, Managing Trustee of MOHAN Foundation highlighted, “Donation after cardiac death is an easier concept to grasp by the public then donation after brain death. Every year, in India 35 to 40 thousand corneas are donated by the families, and this indicates that this type of donation can also work for solid organ donation. It is legally possible to enable Donation after Circulatory Death as per our law, however a few guidelines needs to be created. The release of app is a step in the right direction.”

Dr Dale Gardiner, Associate Medical Director, NHSBT UK expressed “Donation after Circulatory Death accounts for 23% of all worldwide deceased donor transplants. Countries will never solve their organ shortage without embracing this type of donation. The launch of the DCD App marks an important milestone in growing worldwide Donation after Circulatory Death and is another example of the friendship and collaboration between the UK and India.”

Dr Satya Sharma, Chairman of Commonwealth Tribute to Life Initiative, expressed, “I am honoured to be part of this movement transcending borders to promote ethical organ donation. Of the 56 Commonwealth countries, 44 have joined this initiative and only 14 are able to carry out organ transplantation. Through collaboration among Commonwealth nations, we aspire to ensure equitable access to life-saving transplants.

The conference hosts leaders and representatives from prominent Commonwealth nations including the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean.

The conference showcased the best from India in the field of organ donation and transplantation on the last day. This included the following sessions:
1. IKDRC - A model transplant program for developing countries - Dr Jamal Rizvi, Ahemdabad
2. Pioneering Hand Transplant Program in India - Dr Subramania Iyer, Kochi
3. Cell Free DNA for organ rejection - Dr Avinash Ramani, Accranolife, Chennai
4. Predicting tools in organ transplantation - Prof. Nithya Krishnan & Dr Sunil Shroff , Coventary & Chennai

About MOHAN Foundation: MOHAN (Multi Organ Harvesting Aid Network) Foundation, a 27-year-old NGO, spearheads ethical deceased organ donation in India, providing a 'Gift of Life' to patients with end-stage organ failure.

About Commonwealth Tribute to Life Project: The initiative -
a. Seeks to establish a Memorandum of Understanding among Commonwealth countries.
b. Emphasizes ethical practices and collaboration to save and transform lives globally.

To know more about the Commonwealth Tribute to Life Conference, visit: www.cttl.in/delhi

For Media queries:
Ms Jaya Jairam (MOHAN Foundation)
Phone: 8291711936
Email: [email protected]

For more information, visit: Commonwealth Tribute to Life Project
https://www.odt.nhs.uk/odt-structures-and-standards/clinical-leadership/commonwealth-tribute-to-life-project/