Organ transplantation cannot be avoided, especially in these days when kidney-related diseases are increasing a lot. However, the procedures for this are very complicated. Transplantation is very expensive in private hospitals. Due to the complexities of the law, a large number of people rely on hospitals abroad for organ transplants. It is also difficult to find an organ donor. There is ample evidence that middlemen exploit both organ donors and recipients. Organ transplant surgeries are mainly done in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Kozhikode medical colleges in Kerala. Economically backward patients are mostly subjected to these surgeries in government hospitals. Patients are forced to wait for organ transplant surgeries due to various reasons. Many controversies also arise regarding organ transplants done in private hospitals.

A kidney transplant cannot be done in the private sector without a minimum of Rs 25 lakh. A liver transplant costs more than 60 lakhs. Every day we come across several requests for donations for organ transplant surgery on social media and other media. Several scams are also taking place in the name of such donations. In such a situation, the main story published by Kerala Kaumudi yesterday informed that the government has decided to establish a government hospital in Kozhikode exclusively for organ transplantation. It is a step that deserves appreciation in every way. At present, the mortality rate among those undergoing organ transplant surgery is very high. Special attention must be paid to that area to find a solution for this. Along with this, the looting of private hospitals should be stopped. The government is trying to open its own institution with these two goals in mind.

The new institution on the model of a cancer centre will be started at a cost of Rs 500 crore. The Institute of Organ Transplantation will be the first of its kind in the country. The government has accepted the recommendation submitted by Malappuram native Dr. Biju Pottakkad, a professor at Pondicherry Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER). Dr. Biju will be appointed as a special officer to coordinate the activities. If it goes ahead in a good way, it will become a famous medical institution that will bring the fame of Kerala to the international arena. Organ transplantation is not something that should be done in between many things in medical college. In the future, this institute will also contribute a new batch of doctors specializing in organ transplantation. If Kerala launches such an institute, it will become a model for other states and the Centre to follow.