Women Outnumber Men in Live Kidney Donations in Noida
To celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8) and to observe World Kidney Day (March 9), Fortis Hospital, Noida sought to create awareness among the public by showcasing some remarkable factoids on how women outnumber men as live kidney donors in the township of Noida. The objective of sharing the facts was to highlight women as true saviours for those in need of kidney transplants and also bring attention to the growing need of organ donations in the country. This initiative was piloted at Fortis Hospital, Noida by Dr. Manoj K Singhal, Director, Nephrology & Kidney Transplant and his team includes Consultants Dr. Varun Verma and Dr. Anju Pawal & Dr. Dushyant Nadar, Director, Urology & Kidney Transplant and his team which includes Consultants Dr. Piyush Varshney and Dr. Rahul Gupta.
India roughly records an astounding figure of approx. 7500 transplants a year from around 250 established transplant centres. Out of these, ninety percent of the transplants are from live donors and ten percent are from deceased donors[1]. Statistics released by Fortis hospital, Noida states that in the last 11 years from 2006, when its kidney transplant programme began, to 2017, 646 kidney transplants have been successfully conducted at the hospital, out of which 424 were women donors. This is a strong and inspiring testament to the ‘giving’ spirit of women and also their critical role as aware and responsible citizens.
Cases in point were presented to support the above facts. Due to kidney-related issues, Mr. Ashok Kanchan, 63, suffered for five years from agonising pain and discomfort. Eventually when he was advised a kidney transplant, the question remained as to who would be the donor. At this juncture, his wife stepped forward and provided one of her kidneys. This single gesture not only illustrated the love that existed between the two, but also the undaunted courage displayed by Mr Kanchan’s wife.
Another thought-provoking case is of Vaibhav Saxena, 19, who was brought into the hospital with high fever. He was made to undergo an ultrasound which revealed, much to the astonishment and bewilderment of his family, that he had only one kidney. Vaibhav had been functioning with a single kidney and had survived for the last eighteen years. The immediate course of treatment recommended now was a kidney transplant. His mother, Meena Saxena, 50, readily came forward and donated one of her kidneys, which exemplified the unconditional love between a parent and a child.
Dr. Manoj K Singhal, Director, Nephrology & Kidney Transplant, Fortis Hospital, Noida shared, “Kidney donations reflect love and understanding between family members. However, societal structures and mind sets in India often result in the women being influenced or coaxed to donate their healthy organs for their close relatives. Statistics reveal that more than 90% spousal donations come from the wife. The international Women’s Day and World Kidney Day this year are a fitting occasion for each of us to thank the women in our families, society and country for their courageous and selfless efforts.”
Dr. Dushyant Nadar, Director, Urology & Kidney Transplant, Fortis Hospital Noida said, “An act of being able to empathize with the condition of the patient propels a person who is an eligible donor to engage in the altruistic act of donating his or her kidneys. In a country where thousands are in line for eligible donors, women are setting sterling examples to the cause of organ donation by their noble and responsible acts.”
Dr. Kousar Ali Shah, Zonal Director, Fortis Hospital, Noida said, “Our Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Department offers comprehensive solutions for people suffering from end-stage renal disease in Delhi NCR and western UP. The team is supported by state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technology and fully equipped ICUs to deliver the best clinical outcomes in line with the Fortis policy of patient-centricity. On behalf of our entire team, I extend our heartiest wishes to the brave and gallant women of our country who are becoming the torch-bearers for organ donation in the country.”
Diseases related to kidney rank 3rd among all the life- threatening diseases. Every year almost 100 persons per million succumb to kidney diseases. An astounding figure of 90,000 kidney transplants is required on an average every year in India. When kidney failure occurs, there are two types of treatments which are recommended – Dialysis or transplant. In kidney transplants, a healthy kidney from a live or deceased donor replaces the degenerated kidney which is no longer able to function.
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