Focus on organ transplantation in Tier-II cities:

The State government is creating opportunities for organ transplantation in Tier-II cities like Tiruchi, Coimbatore and Salem, State Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar said on Friday.

As many as 5,773 lives have been saved till date since as many organs harvested from 1028 donors have infused a fresh lease of life for the recipients, Mr. Vijaya Baskar said, inaugurating an organ donation awareness programme at the Mahatma Gandhi Government Hospital here.

Pointing out that Tamil Nadu had become a role model State in organ donation and transplantation surgeries, Mr. Vijaya Baskar said health officials from various States were visiting Tamil Nadu to know about the functioning of Transplant Authority Government of Tamil Nadu and the transparency in procedure.

Stating that thrust was being given on creating awareness on organ donation, he said the State government was taking steps to extend the organ transplantation surgeries to Tier-II cities. Renal transplantation would begin in Tiruchi Government Hospital in two months time, he said.

Mr. Vijaya Baskar said ₹10 crore funds had been allocated for procuring new equipment for the Mahatma Gandhi Government Hospital. The government was taking steps to make Tiruchi a model district for cardiac care, he said. Tourism Minister Vellamandi N. Natarajan, Minister for Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare S. Valarmathi, Collector K. Rajamani, Hospital Dean in-charge Anitha and other officials participated.

The kin of organ donors were also honoured on the occasion.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/focus-on-organ-transplantation-in-tier-ii-cities-health-minister/article19649340.ece