Srinagar, Aug 02: Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu has emerged as the second-most prominent institute in Jammu and Kashmir’s organ transplant programme, following Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura. The college has recorded notable success in both corneal and renal transplants in recent years.
The transplant initiative at GMC Jammu was launched after the establishment of the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) for J&K in September 2019, at the Super Speciality Hospital, Jammu.
Dr.Ashutosh Gupta, Principal of GMC Jammu, said the medical college houses both an eye bank with a corneal transplant facility and a renal transplant unit, established in March and April 2022, respectively.
“So far, we have successfully performed 70 corneal and 28 live donor kidney transplants,” Dr. Gupta said. “There have been no failures. It’s a major milestone for our institution and the region.”
He lauded the dedication of the transplant team, adding that two corneal transplants were recently carried out in a single day, an unprecedented feat for the centre. “Our doctors are working tirelessly to ensure every patient in need receives timely attention and care,” he added.
Dr. Gupta also made a strong appeal for organ donation, especially in cases involving victims of road traffic accidents. “Though it is an emotional decision, organ donation can save multiple lives. A single donor can provide hope to several patients,” he said.
He said the doctors work tirelessly to ensure that every patient in need of a transplant receives the necessary attention. “Last week, we performed two corneal transplants in a single day. It was a daunting task, but our doctors accomplished it with dedication,” the principal said.
While appealing to people to come forward and consider organ donation, he said, “Many victims of road traffic accidents could become life-savers through organ donation. Although it’s an emotional decision, donating organs can give others a new lease on life.”
Notably, at the UT level, the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO) in Jammu and Kashmir oversees the entire transplant process, ensuring an organized and transparent system.
“We first register the details of recipients, and allocation is done on a first-come, first-served basis,” he said.
Dr.Ashutosh explained that there are two types of transplants: one is a live transplant, typically for kidneys and the other is a cadaveric transplant, which is done after a patient’s death.
“If a patient in the ICU is declared brain-dead, we counsel the family and encourage them to donate the organs. In such cases, we can retrieve the cornea, kidneys, liver, pancreas, lungs, skin, bones, and other organs,” he said.
Dr.Ashutosh said that whenever a transplant is scheduled, a ‘green corridor’ is created to ensure the timely transport of the organ. “We also obtain consent from the patient or their relatives before proceeding,” he said.
Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a steady rise in organ transplants, with GMC Jammu, SKIMS Soura, and GMC Srinagar currently serving as the only recognized transplant centres in the region.
Since 1999, SKIMS Soura has been a leading renal transplant center in North India, gaining a reputation for its successful kidney transplant program. According to doctors, SKIMS has performed approximately 700 kidney transplants to date, significantly benefiting patients with chronic kidney disease.
SKIMS is a key contributor to the country’s organ transplant program, helping bridge the nationwide gap in kidney transplants, which remain limited across the country. The center currently conducts about four to five transplants each month, totalling 30 to 50 annually.
