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Campaign for Voluntary Human Organ Donations
*** Nikesh Chandra Das talks to Dr K M Cherian, a renowned heart surgeon of the subcontinent ***
’ ’ strong movement and AAawareness campaign
■X JLshould be started lor voluntary human organ donations to save people who are dying from diseases like kidney failure and heart problems that can be treated by organ transplants.” said Dr K M Cherian, 54. a renowned cardiac surgeon and Director of Madras Medical Mission's Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases at Chenai. India. One of the pioneers in pediatric cardiac surgery in the sub-continent and recipient of many awards. including the Government of India's Padmashri. Dr Cherian recently visited Bangladesh to attend a three-day international conference on cardiovascular diseases jointly organised by Bangladesh Cardiac Society and Asia Pacific Society of Cardiology.
During his Stay in Dhaka. Dr Cherian in an interview with this writer talked about different aspects of medical treatment facilities and social development. Talking about human organ transplants, he said that human organ transplantation is an established and successful branch of medical surgery in the developed world. But unfortunately we in the subcontinent are lagging behind in terms of legislation. Eublic awareness and technical icilities. But. things have recently started to change towards a positive direction.
' The Issue of brain death is a new phenomenon of human organ transplant in the subcontinent. “Though the developed
countries have legalised brain death 15 to 20 years back. India has done the same only in 1994." said Dr Cherian. He opined that the legalisation of brain death is a new chapter in the Indian history of medical surgery, and Bangladesh has not legalised brain death as yet.
A brain death patient is one whose pulse is on. but brain is dead. According to medical science. a patient would die ultimately when his brain is dead. "If you get a brain death patient, you can have his heart, lungs, kidneys, corneas, liver and other transferable organs. Thus on an average, seven to eight people could be helped by a single donor." Dr Cherian commented.
Mere legalisation of brain death cannot meet the growing demand for organ transplants. For this, general public should be made aware about the necessity of organ donation. "In our society, the culture of voluntary organ donation has not been developed as yet. Though no religion prevents organ donation, the social taboos are the main barriers." observed Dr Cherian. "So. a massive awareness campaign should be started using all the means of communication in creating a favourable atmosphere to educate the public about the importance of human organ donation." he said, adding "media people and conscious part of the society can also play a vital role in this regard."
Commenting on the overall
heart disease treatment situation in Bangladesh. Dr Cherian said. "On the whole, it is just picking up. New instruments are being installed. As far as surgery is concerned. I think it has to be developed." Asked why it has not developed yet. he said. "You have got qualified people, national Institute for cardiovascular diseases, but I don't know why the specialty has not been developed even in your neighbouring India. I can talk about my specialty. What is important is commitment, infrastructure. and hard work.” he added.
A vigorous protester of commercialisation of medical facilities. Dr Cherian said. "Corporate ideology or philosophy in medicine is not right, because corporate philosophy is meant for making money. It is not designed to safeguard the interest of the common people. But medicine, as I understand, is a noble profession. It cannot be equated with an Industry."
Answering to the question, why he helps poor patients with especial care, he said, "Heart surgery is beyond the reach of common men. In India only 10 per cent people can afford it, but what about others? Obviously, it is our duty to help poor within our own capabilities."
"In fact, we are fighting for better medical facilities to the people of this region with humanitarian values and attitudes. One of the priorities of Madras Medical Mission, where I work, is to offer its services free of cost or at concessional rates to poor patients. Patients who benefit from free or concessional treatment make up 20 per cent .of the total number of patients treated. The Mission hopes to expand the facilities of free treatment for the poor in the coming years."
In reply to question about the essential qualities of a successful doctor. Dr Cherian said there are many qualities, but the most important thing is a sympathetic heart. "If you have a sympathetic heart, then honesty and other qualities would come ultimately." he said. Speaking about his successful career Dr Cherian said. "I am destined to do it. I enjoy my ‘ WorK. It neVai- tires me.*'An Indian immigrant to Australia arid USA. Dr Cherian has returned home refusing lucrative job offers in both the countries. "I am happy to be back to do something for my own country which most of my friends are not doing. And I am glad that I have been doing it successfully. My present aim is to continue my work serving the people of this sub-continent. In the days ahead. I want to hand over my
responsibilities to the right people.” he added.
In Dhaka. Dr Cherian met four of his patients who were operated in Madras through World Vision of Bangladesh, an international relief and development organisation. These patients were the ones who received special financial concessions. During this meeting. Dr Cherian talked with them and inquired about their health. He also visited two World Vision Bangladesh projects in Dhaka. While visiting Agargaon slum Dr Cherian emphasised on health education and vocational training. He opined that the parents are the most important people as far as the growth of a child is concerned. In that case, a mother can play stronger role than a father. If parents are being disseminated the basics of health messages, then they can take care of their kids. Dr Cherian commented.
"The development agencies are not to provide nutritious food but to teach people how to prepare it cost-effectively." said Dr Cherian. State-run television can also play an important role. They can arrange a one-hour nationwide nutrition and hygiene education programme during the school hour. The messages should come through cartoons and pictures. Dr Cherian said that more vocational training should be arranged to ensure development of a community. A simple BA or B Sc degree has no value if they don't get any vocational training. But this aspect of development is being neglected till today. Dr Cherian said.
According to Dr Cherian. the political leaders of the subcontinent who are supposed to Initiate development activities are not working properly. "Most of the politicians are school dropouts." Dr Cherian observed. "They are only interested in making money rather than the development of the people. If there were a law saying that one can run for the post ot an MP or MLA only if s/he has three-year working experience with a social service organisation, that could have helped us in having a better class of politicians."
Dr Cherian has so far successfully performed over 12.000 cardiac surgeries. He has to his credit many successful firsts In India, suijh as coronary artery graft, correction of transposi-tion of grea^vess^el^ using sen-ning techniques, bilateral internal mammary graft, homo-graft aortic conduits for correction of congenial defects, and heart transplant after the legislation on brain death. He also introduced the transmyocar-dial laser revascularization in Australia.
The writer is the Communication Officer nt World Vision of Bangladesh.