'Cadaveric organ transplant soon'

28 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Bss, Dhaka

In a major breakthrough in the country's medical science, Bangladeshi doctors are going to start first-ever cadaveric organ transplantation soon. “We have taken all preparations for cadaveric organ transplantation in the country and are hopeful that it will start within six months,” Prof Harun Ur Rashid, president of Society of Organ Transplantation, told BSS yesterday. He said initially cadaveric kidney and liver transplantation will be done at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Kidney Foundation Hospital and Birdem. “Though Bangladesh has achieved remarkable success in organ transplantation, it is lagging in cadaveric organ transplantation,” said Prof Harun, also an eminent nephrologist. He said live kidney was transplanted to 800 kidney failure patients in the country so far. In the same way, live heart and liver transplantation was done in the country but there was no example of cadaveric kidney, liver or heart transplantation as the system is yet to be introduced here. “If the system is introduced in the country, a dead man can save life of five patients by donating his or her kidneys, liver, heart and lung,” he said. He said the Jatiya Sangsad has passed a law in this regard. Quoting a survey conducted in two intensive care units (ICUs), Prof Harun said 16 percent relatives of dead persons had agreed to donate organs of the dead after they were declared brain dead. Prof Harun also said the country has experienced doctors for cadaveric organ transplantation. “But at this moment, taking necessary initiatives to this end is very essential,” he said. For this, he said, 'brain dead committees' will have to be formed in those hospitals where ICUs are available. Besides, 'organ procurement committee' could be constituted, and 'organ central bank' be set up, he said, adding that the health sector will witness a revolution if the initiatives are taken by both public and private sectors. Prof Harun said superstition and wrong social beliefs are the major obstacles to promoting cadaveric organ transplantation in the country. Stressing the need for creating mass awareness about cadaveric organ transplantation, he said religious leaders could be engaged to this end. “Only awareness against superstition and wrong social beliefs about the cadaveric organ transplantation could help save thousands of lives in Bangladesh,” he added. He said Bangladesh started kidney transplantation from live persons in 1988 and transplantation of kidneys of 100 patients are done each year in eight hospitals in the country.