It has been observed that the police officials are reluctant to give authority for organ donation in Medico-Legal cases. This may be either because of their fear of accountability of their decision, jurisdictional problems or lack of knowledge and clarity on the statutory provisions in such cases.
A mother faced with a dying child receives the ultimate gift from another mother who lost her son. A miracle followed by more miracles aided by doctors, government organizations, police and the large hearted residents of Chennai.
The limits of transplantation are being redefined by success of complex transplants such as limbs and face, which were hitherto only science fiction. The science of transplantation has progressed fast, but poses many legal and ethical questions.
Organ donation and transplantation is not new to India. In fact Hindu mythology has several tales of organ donation and transplantation. T.N. Panda also provides some information on renal transplants and the scenario in Odisha.
Brain death is crucial to the process of organ retrieval and transplantation. As a neurosurgeon, I feel that neurologists and neurosurgeons need to play a much bigger role in the diagnosis and declaration of brain death in India
