Pune: The number of organ transplant surgeries between January and August this year has dropped by 70 per cent compared to last year. The number of organ donors has also dropped by half.
According to the Pune Divisional Transplant Coordinating Committee (ZTCC), 46 organ donors had donated organs during the eight months last year between January to August 2019. Of the organ donations they made, 127 were organ transplants. However, from January to August this year, 21 organ donors have made donations and 41 have received organ transplants.
This means that the number of organ donors and transplants has dropped sharply compared to last year. "A severe lockdown was then announced across the country. No organ transplants or donations were made in April as the lockdown gradually increased. After the unlock process began and patients were allowed to go to the hospital with permission, organ donor and transplant surgery began again. Therefore, even though transplants are being done now, the number has decreased," said Aarti Gokhale, Coordinator, Pune Division, ZTCC.
It has been observed that the patient did not come ahead due to fear of COVID-19. Fearing corona, some patients who were in need of kidney transplant, refused to come to the hospital. They postponed the kidney transplant and preferred dialysis treatment.
"The lockdown have led to a decline in organ donation and transplant surgeries. However, as the net continues its efforts, 21 people have donated organs and 41 people have been transplanted in Pune division. The Pune ZTCC sent the heart to a patient in Delhi, lung and kidney to a patient in Mumbai." Added Aarti Gokhale, Coordinator, ZTCC, Pune. Donations and transplants made in Pune division between January to August 2020 is as follows:
Total Organ donors: 21
Various Organ transplants done this year:
