It is well known that organs can be donated by both living and dead individuals. But the concerns in both cases are very different. When a living donor is involved, people worry about the health of both the donor and the receiver following the procedure.
In an interaction with HT Lifestyle, nephrologist Dr Prajit Mazumdar shared, “The confusion between living and deceased donation is one of the most common gaps in public understanding. Clarity on this could help far more patients receive the transplants they urgently need. As the name suggests, deceased donation happens after a person has died, most often following brain-stem death of individuals. This is the condition where the brain has permanently and irreversibly stopped functioning, while other organs are kept viable through life support, explained Dr Mazumdar. Living donors are usually required to be adults, medically fit, and free of conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, active cancer, or major organ involvement. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition. Dr Prajit Mazumdar , MBBS, MD, DM, FASN, is a senior consultant in the department of Nephrology and Renal Transplant at Yashoda Medicity. He has expertise in treating patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, glomerulonephritis, dialysis and renal transplants.
“This is the only sustainable way to meet the country’s rising demand for transplants and to make organs like hearts and lungs accessible to the many patients who cannot rely on a living donor at all,” he added.
