INTERACTION PROGRAMME ON BRAIN DEATH CRITERIA FOR NEPAL

Human organ donation and transplantation is one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of this century. Kidney transplantation is typically classified as deceased-donor (formerly known as cadaveric) or living-donor transplantation depending on the source of the donor organ.  It is estimated that each year about 3ooo people suffer from renal failure. In the present context of Nepal, kidney is extracted only from live donors. Furthur, once people start accepting brain death, it will make avail at least 8 different organs eg. 2 kidneys, 2 lungs, 1 liver, 1 heart, 1 pancreas and 1 small intestine which will be useful to save so many lives after transplantation of these organs Evaluating the risk and benefit of the organ extraction and transplantation from the live donors and cadaveric donors, Ministry of health and population has formulated a committee in order to address the issue regarding legalization and grant of permission for the organ extraction from cadaveric patients and its transplantation.

On 1^stNovember, 2013, an interaction program was conducted on the topic ‘’Brain Death Criteria for Nepal‘’ at Human Organ Transplant Center, Bhaktapur.  The programme was a great success with the gracious presence of Chief Guest, Rt. Hon’abe Mr. Khil Raj Regmi, Chairman - Council of Ministers; Home and Foreign Minister Mr. Madhav Ghimire, Health Minister Mr. Vidhyadhar Mallik, Communication, Information and Education Minister Mr. Madhav Paudel, Chief Secretary Mr. Leela Mani Paudel, top authorities of Health ministry such as Dr. Tirtha Burlakoti, Dr. Sheela Verma and Australian Ambassador to Nepal Mr. Glenn White Highlights on Brain Death Criteria for Nepal was presented by eminent clinicians such as Dr. U.P. Devkota and Dr. B.D. Jha. The participants of the programme were Dr. Ram Kantha Makaju - VC KU, Dr. Bhagawan Koirala - Executive Director TUTH, Dr. Damodar Pokharel - VC NAMS, Dr. Buland Thapa - Director, Bir hospital, Dr. Geeta Shakya - Director, Public Health Laboratory, Dr. Pawan Sultania, Dr. Basant Pant, Dr. Mod Nath Maratha, national artists Madan Krishna Shrestha and Haribamsha Acharya, Yogeshwor Amabya, Nhyoo Bajracharya, senior Journalists, chief bureaucrats and social workers from Bhaktapur. The programme was facilitated by Dr. Pukar C Shrestha, Kidney Transplant Surgeon and the Executive Director, HOTC.

The interaction program basically focused on creating a positive public attitude about cadaveric organ donation and the infrastructure required for the implementation of the criteria. For instance early brain death identification, and certification, prompt consent for organ donation, adequate hospital infrastructure, and support logistics that are required for successful organ transplantation.