Relatives often object to donating heart: doctors

According to the Zonal Transplant Coordination Committee (ZTCC), at present, only two city hospitals are registered to perform a heart transplant - Mahim-based PD Hinduja Hospital and Asian Heart Hospital, Bandra. Priyanka Vora reports.

According to the Zonal Transplant Coordination Committee (ZTCC), at present, only two city hospitals are registered to perform a heart transplant - Mahim-based PD Hinduja Hospital and Asian Heart Hospital, Bandra.

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"The 25-year-old, suffering from end-stage cardiac failure, is the first patient to be registered for heart transplant in the city. We are waiting for a suitable cadaver donor," said Dr Sujata Patwardhan, secretary, ZTCC.

"Unlike abroad where cadaver donations are regular, in India, we have a dearth of cadaver donors. At times, relatives agree to donate other organs such as liver, kidney but when it comes to heart they aren't willing to do so. People feel that donating the heart would take the soul away from the cadaver," said Dr Ajay Chaughule, heart and lung transplant surgeon, Global Hospital, Parel who has performed around 35 such transplants abroad.

Dr Gustad Daver, medical director, Hinduja Hospital said that despite the availability of cadavers, hospital staff shies away from identifying such donors.