MUMBAI: Till a few years ago, Tamil Nadu was infamous for rampant kidney sales. But a slew of corrective measures has ensured Tamil Nadu’s transition from a kidney commerce hub to a state with nationally-acknowledged and successful cadaver-donation programme. Now, Chennai-based Multi Organ Harvesting Aid Network (MOHAN) Foundation will help Maharashtra boost its cadaver donation programme.

Come December, a team from MOHAN will arrive in the city to train medical social workers in grief counseling. Between October 2008 and October 2010, Tamil Nadu saw as many as 253 kidney transplants, in addition to 120 liver, four lung and 26 heart transplants. However, Maharashtra, mainly Mumbai, managed only 36 kidney transplants in 2009. This year, the city had only 18 kidney and seven liver transplants.

“Counsellors hold the key to the success of cadaver donation programmes as they deal with the deceased’s family. They must know when and how to broach the subject of organ donation with a family that is grieving the loss of a loved one. Also, they must know where to draw the line and when to stop pushing a family for cadaver donation,” said Dr Sunil Shroff, managing trustee of MOHAN…..Readmore