Organ transplant in Kerala appears to be moving into a sphere of larger societal acceptance with the decision of Bishop Jacob Muricken, auxiliary bishop of the Pala diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, to donate his kidney to 30-year-old Suraj from Kottakkal in Malappuram district.
According to Fr. Davis Chiramel, founder of the Kidney Federation of India, the formalities have been completed with the review of the authorised committee at Government Medical College, Kottayam, on Friday.
‘Acceptance level still low’The transplant has been scheduled for June 1 at a private hospital in Kochi. “Even today the acceptance level for organ donation is low. This gesture of Bishop Murickan would go a long way encouraging more people into the movement,” Fr. Chiramel said.
It all began with a public discourse on organ donation by Fr. Chiramel in Pala more than a year ago, when the Bishop, who was among the audience, took it as a personal challenge. After necessary discussions with his seniors and appropriate bodies, the Bishop informed Fr. Chiramel of his willingness to join the organ donation campaign commenced by the priest who had donated his own kidney earlier.
The opportunity came a few months ago when Suraj, who was seriously afflicted with kidney trouble, registered with the Kidney Foundation of India.
