Successfully completed heart transplants in recent days are proof of the phenomenal advancement in telecommunications and transportation in our nation. What used to take days to organize and coordinate was achieved in a matter of hours, well within the critical window of opportunity permissible, known as the ‘golden hour', for such a delicate and complex procedure. The lightning speed in which suitable recipients were identified for the donor's organs speaks of the commitment of those involved in order to offer a fresh lease to the anxious recipients awaiting the critical phone call. Once a donor was confirmed, Abirami of Bangalore was identified as an ideal candidate. Good planning and smooth coordination enabled immediate notification to Abirami's parents on Monday night and arrangements were hastily made to transport her to Chennai where her new heart was waiting. The heart itself found its way smoothly from Apollo Specialty hospital, where it was expertly harvested by Frontier Lifeline's Organ Harvest Team, to Frontier Lifeline in a record time of 11 minutes. The route which usually takes a minimum of 40 minutes under normal traffic conditions was magically cleared during peak traffic hours with the timely help of Chennai's Traffic Police. Within 28 minutes of having been removed from the donor's body, the heart found itself placed in its new home and it was a matter of expert surgical skills which got the heart beating once more, 90 minutes after it had last beat within the chest of the donor. It was a miracle for all to witness as the heart pumped strongly within Abirami's chest, infusing her frail form with rich oxygenated blood. But miracles often have a human element as well and that came in the form of the donor Hithendran, and his parents, both of whom are doctors. Under such emotionally charged circumstances the pragmatic decision of his parents to donate his organs takes great strength of spirit. As doctors, the implications and benefits of this altruistic act were not lost on them and they remained true to their noble profession of selfless service. Today Hithendran continues to live on through at least 8 persons who enjoy a better quality of life through his premature sacrifice. Ease of interstate organ donation and retrieval policies would enormously aid in the immediate availability and match of donors with recipients. Transplantation of organs has been seen to be highly successful especially with young patients. The rate of survival in the first year in patients below 5 years of age is 95%, 75% for patients below 10 years and 40 % for patients below 20 years of age. Successful re-transplantation is also possible. Heart transplants cost as much as any other transplant operations. But recurring costs are incurred through immunosuppressant drugs which are a life-long necessity. However, unlike kidney and liver transplants, the expense of these drugs is much less as the heart primarily performs a mechanical action rather than a metabolic function. After the first year the cost comes down significantly, averaging to about Rs 500/- a month. A census taken in 2006 stated that Tamil Nadu has reported the maximum number (55,145) of road accidents accounting for 14% of such accidents in the country. The number of organs which can be made available for the benefit of countless others is a potentially achievable figure. But this can be accomplished only if there is a mass awakening among the greater public on the invaluable service this selfless act provides. Successful organ transplantation can take on a fresh lease of life through enlightened donors and their families. This was demonstrated through the mass organ donation pledge taken by the young citizens of Erode from Siddhartha Matriculation Higher Secondary School , in response to news reports of the noble deed by Hithendran's parents. Together with the support of Grief Counselors and Transplant Coordinators and a comprehensive Registry of potential Recipients that is meticulously maintained along with the amassing awareness propagated through the print and electronic media and the heart-warming response of our young civic-conscious citizens, we as a nation of 1.2 billion, should be able to cater to the needs of the millions waiting for new organs and a new life. |
