The event was inaugurated by Shri. V. S. Sivakumar, Honorable Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Kerala. In his inaugural address the Minister highlighted the fact that Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) has become a role model in the country’s healthcare scenario. He said that Amrita has taken a giant leap forward in the field of liver transplantation surgeries completing 325 liver transplants till date. He also congratulated liver donors and families of brain-dead donors for their willingness to share the organ for the benefit of the sick and needy. Health Minister Sivakumar added that Dr. Sudhindran, Chief Transplant Surgeon at the Liver Transplant Unit, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) has been included in the committee constituted by the Government of Kerala for coordinating deceased organ donation.
“Today, we have gathered here to salute our heroes who are our donors and patients. It is their courage and faith that stood up in the long process of the development of this program,” said Dr. Prem Nair, Medical Director, AIMS in his presidential address. He also acknowledged the tremendous support received from Government of Kerala for the success of Liver Transplant Program at Amrita via the Kerala Network for Organ Sharing (KNOS) and the Society for Organ Retrieval and Transplantation (SORT).
Swami Purnamritananda Puri, General Secretary of Mata Amritanandamayi Math delivered the benedictory address. Later the gathering listened to a video message from the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri. Oommen Chandy. Dr. Sudhindran S., the Chief Transplant Surgeon at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) shared his ten years’ experience with liver transplant surgeries. He thanked the media for the support received from them for publicizing the importance of organ donation.
Renowned actor, Padmasree Bharat Mohanlal was the guest of honor. Speaking on the occasion, Mohanlal, who has pledged his own organs for donation, encouraged others to consider doing the same. A short-film on liver transplantation titled Karal Pakuthu Uyir Pakarumbol was released by Padmasree Mohanlal. Later, he honored Ms. Swathy Krishna, a liver recipient; the cadaver donor families and SORT by presenting mementos to them.
Others who spoke on the occasion included Dr. Puneet Dhar, Professor and Head, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery and Solid Organ Transplantation; Shri. R. Chandrasekharan, Chairman, Cashew Development Corporation, Government of Kerala and Dr. Noble Gracious, Nodal Officer, Mritasanjeevani, KNOS, Government of Kerala. An interactive session with the liver recipients, donors and their families along with the doctors and staff of Liver Transplant Unit followed which included experience-sharing and cultural programs by liver recipients and donors.
As the program completes 10 years in June 2014, the liver transplantation team is credited with 325 liver transplants. Of the total of 325 transplants 32 were from Brain Dead donors and 293 were from Live donors.
