It was an Independence Day to remember for Mumbai's medical fraternity. Wednesday turned out to be the best day ever in the 15-year history of cadaver donations in the city when as many as six patients underwent transplants at five hospitals. The city may also end up having its best year so far.

After Vilasrao Deshmukh's death on Tuesday, doctors had mourned the lack of donations that could have saved the former chief minister's life. Barely a few hours later, the city witnessed two cadaver organ donations in quick succession, which led to the six transplants on Wednesday.

Mumbai has recorded 27 kidney, 10 liver and two lung transplants so far in 2012. Since cadaver donations began in 1997, 2009 saw the highest number of transplants-36 kidney and six liver-according to statistics available with the Zonal Transplantation Coordination Centre (ZTCC). Overall, Mumbai has had 274 kidney, 45 liver and two lung transplants in the 15-year period. However, it still lags way behind Tamil Nadu, which has seen a staggering 784 organ donations since October 2008.

Maharashtra also has ZTCCs in Pune and Aurangabad , but they are not as active.

The liver and kidneys that were meant to be transferred to Chennai's Global Hospitals to help Deshmukh, who was admitted with complications of liver cancer, subsequently helped three Mumbaikars suffering from end-stage organ failure.

TRANSPLANT RECORD

The liver and kidneys of a 49-yearold brain tumour patient, meant for Vilasrao Deshmukh who passed away, were donated to three patients

The liver went to a 45-year-old man from Goa, while the kidneys were donated to two men in their 30s

The kidneys of a 43-year-old man who died following brain haemorrhage went to a 25-year old woman and a 34-year-old man. One of his lungs was donated to a person whose details were not disclosed

Less than 30 organs donated a year in Mumbai

The liver from a 49-year-old claimed by brain tumour at Hinduja Hospital was donated to a person at Jupiter Hospital in Thane ,whilethekidneyswentto patients at Hinduja Hospital and Hiranandani Hospital in Powai , respectively .

On Tuesday evening , a 43-year-old man's family decided at BSES Hospital , Andheri (E), to donate his organs after he was declared brain dead following brain haemorrhage . While one of his kidneys went to a patient in the same hospital , another went to a person registered at JaslokHospital .Oneof hislungs was sent for a patient registered withHinduja Hospital .

Dr Jatin Kothari of Hinduja Hospital said their patient who received a kidney had been on the wait-list for six years . "The 30-year-old man had a transplant before , but even that kidney turned dysfunctional . He had been on dialysissince ," hesaid .

The liver that was supposed to be sent for Deshmukh eventually helped a 45-year-old patient from Goa . Liver transplant surgeon Dr A S Soin said : "A patient may have to wait anywhere between three and 12 months for a liver . In this case , the patient had been waiting for the past four months . This patient was on the top of our list."

"Although 25,000 liver transplants are needed every year , only 800 of these take place in our country ," he added .

Dr Rajesh Kumar , who conducted two kidney transplants -at Hiranandani Hospital and BSES-said both patients had been on the waiting list for over seven years . "Oneof them is a 38-year-old man whohadbeen on dialysis for 10 years , while the patient at BSES is a 25-year-old woman whose kidneys failed when shewas 18 ," Kumar said .

Cadaver donations have usually been low in Mumbai , with less than 30 organs being donated every year . For instance , 20 kidneys and six livers were donated in 2011, while 2010 saw 20 kidney andeightliver donations .
ZTCC president Dr Gustad Daver told TOI: "Emphas on organ transplants has led to an increase in donations . As the momentum grows , more and more donationswillbe recorded ."

ZTCC secretary general Sujata Patwardhan said : "Once nontransplant retrievalcentres (hospitals that will only retrieve organs but not carry out transplants )comeup ,the number of donationscould goup further ."

'Help save lives'

The 49-year-old donor, whose organs saved three lives, was operated upon for brain tumour six months ago. "On Saturday, he was at home when he collapsed. We rushed him to a hospital, but he became brain dead," said a relative . "The doctors said he was unlikely to come out of his condition but could help save some lives. We then decided to donate his organs."

* Author: Malathy Iyer & Pratibha Masand
* News story courtesy TNN
* Image courtesy: © Thinkstock photos/ Getty Images