Tag Archives: India

Healthy Lifestyles for Healthy Organs

I would like to thank the Madurai Rotary Club for inviting me to speak this evening. I am Christopher Barry and I am a liver and kidney transplant surgeon from Rochester, New York, currently serving a one year sabbatical as … Continue reading

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End of Life Care in India: An Impediment to Organ Donation?

End of life care is a new concept in India. Unlike Western countries where physicians routinely counsel families regarding end of life care, do not resuscitate (“DNR”) orders, and compassionate withdraw of care, these concepts remain controversial and confusing for … Continue reading

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Paired Donor Exchange Transplantation in India: Already Successful

Paired Donor Exchange Kidney Transplantation (also known as a “kidney swap”) is when a potential transplant recipient exchanges his or her living donor (who is incompatible) with another donor who is compatible. This concept is perhaps the greatest advance in … Continue reading

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Cultural Barriers to Deceased Donor Transplant in India

As I get to know the Indian way of life more intimately, I notice three potential cultural barriers to implementing a National Indian Deceased Donor Transplant System. Such a system needs to embrace the values of efficiency, transparency, and accountability. … Continue reading

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Tamil Nadu Leads India in Transplant and Organ Donation Infrastructure

There are many beautiful and amazing things about India, but, alas, infrastructure is not one of India’s strong suits. In order to have a successful deceased donor transplant program throughout India, a strong and well-built infrastructure is of critical importance. … Continue reading

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Transplant in India: Is it All About the Money?

Recently, a spectacular transplant story came out of Chennai, India. A 21 year old woman from Mumbai received a heart transplant from a government hospital in Chennai. The story made national and international press and was a heartwarming triumph of … Continue reading

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Deceased Donor Transplant Programs in India, Part 3: The Way Forward

So the clock is ticking down and I’m almost ready to embark on my great adventure: a year-long sabbatical volunteering for the MOHAN Foundation to help increase deceased donor transplant activity throughout India. No small task, right? So before I … Continue reading

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Deceased Donor Transplantation in India, Part 2: Indigenous Rackets and Transplant Tourism

In my last post, I introduced the factors influencing the emergence of deceased donor transplantation in India, a major one being the illicit organ trade. Before I delve in to the story from India, however, let me state that human … Continue reading

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Deceased Donor Organ Transplantation in India, Part 1: An Emerging Trend

I just returned from a one month trip to India where I was privileged to witness an incredible country’s initial foray into establishing a deceased donor organ transplantation system.  India is the world’s largest democracy, has been experiencing remarkable economic … Continue reading

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