Brain Death Organ Donation in Nepal

Organ transplantation is the most preferred treatment of modality for end-stage organ failure. Globally, there is a discrepancy between demand and availability of organs for transplantation. Although, transplantation can be done from living donors, WHO calls for encouraging transplantation from brain- dead donors, as the risk to the donor is zero. The New Organ Transplant Act of Nepal – 2016 has opened doors for the cadaveric organ donation and transplantation. Till date, we have been able to do only 6 kidney transplants from 3 brain dead donors. The rate of brain dead organ donation in Nepal is disappointing, mainly attributed to lack of awareness, family denial due to various religious and social factors, low number of registered organ donors among countries.

In Kathmandu alone, road accidents leave around 1000 people brain dead, whose organs, if procured, could save thousands of lives. In addition, it will also help minimize organ trafficking and gender biasness as seen in the organ donation and transplantation arena of Nepal. Any hospital or health centers that declares a person brain dead must immediately inform a coordination unit designated by Nepal Government. Upon receiving the information, the unit must then contract related health institutions for organ procurement and transplantation. The donor hospital will be responsible for providing necessary resources for organ retrieval procedures whereas the coordination unit will arrange the proper storage of the organs. It must also have extensive database of organ recipients as well as distributing the organs following strict government criteria. At Present, Shahid Dharmabhakta National Transplant center in Bhaktapur is the designated unit for those duties. There is a need of extensive awareness programs and innovative strategies to motivate people and families for organ donation. Everyone's coordinated efforts can help enhance the status of brain dead donor transplantation in Nepal.