Goans suffer as sole kidney transplant facility lying closed

Patients suffering from renal ailments in Goa have no other option but to travel to neighbouring Maharashtra as the lone kidney transplantation facility in the coastal state has been shut since last six months due to lack of a full-time nephrologist.
Private hospitals in Goa are not allowed to perform kidney transplant operations.
The state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), which is the only facility for kidney transplantation, has been non-operational for the last six months due to unavailability of a full time nephrologist, a senior GMCH official told PTI today.
Dr J P Tiwari, Head of Department (Nephrology), GMCH, is on a two-year leave since last December.

"We are in the process to appoint the new HoD. Till then operations have been kept on hold," GMCH Dean Dr Pradip Naik said.
While the department conducted three transplants each year in the last five years, 250 new patients with severe kidney ailments needing dialysis are being recorded each year.

Applications seeking permission to conduct such surgeries by private hospitals, including Manipal Hospital in Dona Paula, are pending with the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), a senior DHS official said.
"There are about 1,000 kidney patients who are put on dialysis in different facilities across the State. The rate of survival on dialysis is poor compared to kidney transplant," said GMCH Honorary Consultant nephrologist Dr Amol Mahaldar.

"GMCH, which is the only licenced facility, has been unable to conduct kidney transplants on a regular basis, and is hence dependent on visiting honorary surgeons from Mumbai," he said.