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Windows For Patients
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| Is Liver transplant Legal in India? |
The right diet |
How can you reduce stress during the waiting period? |
Preparing yourself.... |
In the last 10 years or so, living donor liver transplantation has been developed to help overcome the organ donor shortage and save lives. This procedure involves removing a portion of a healthy living donor’s liver to help someone already on the waiting list for a cadaveric liver.
There are two big advantages to living donor transplantation: |
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1. Once a living donor has been found, the operation can be scheduled at the donor’s and recipient’s convenience.
2. The recipient can receive the transplant before his or her liver disease has progressed to a severe stage. Once the disease progresses to the severe stage, cadaveric liver transplantation can lead to a poor outcome.
For the donor, there is the benefit of knowing that he or she has contributed to another person’s life in a very meaningful way.
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Is Liver transplant Legal in India?
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| Yes, organ transplant is legal in India but is bound by certain clauses aimed to prevent commerical use of organs. On July 8, 1994, the President of India assented to the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (Act No.42, 1994) providing for "the regulation of removal, storage and transplantation of human organs for therapeutic purposes and for the prevention of commercial dealings in human organs and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto". As a result, various state legislatures prohibited all organ sales. |
The Act's preamble envisages the object of the legislation in a two-fold manner:
(1) Providing for regulation of removal, storage and transplantation of human organs for therapeutic purposes; and
(2) prevention of commercial dealings in human organs.
The Act necessitates that the donor must not be below 18 years of age, must agree voluntarily to his organ removal, and that his consent is informed. It further prohibits removal of organs by anyone other than a registered medical practitioner, and the transplantation must take place in a registered hospital.
Further, to prevent commercialisation of sales of human organs, Sections 18 & 19 criminalises such transactions, including supply of organs for payment, and making/receiving any such payment. Payment, however, does not include reimbursement for the cost of removing, transporting or preserving the organ to be supplied or any expenses/loss of earnings incurred by the donor which can be attributed to his supplying any organ from his body.
Section 9(1) provides that no human organ shall be removed and transplanted unless the donor is a close relative as defined in section 2(i) of the Act. And though an altruistic donor is permitted to donate organs, it is only with prior authorisation of the committee constituted under the Act. Section 9(5)&(6) lay down the procedure to be followed while obtaining the committee's approval.
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You need to carefully control what you eat and drink each day to help your liver work as well as possible. You also need to eat regular meals and get enough calories to keep up your weight while you are getting well.
A dietitian will tell you how much protein, sodium, and liquids you can eat and drink each day. You should also learn to eat the right amounts of food every day to keep a healthy weight.
Ask your caregivers if it is OK to take vitamins, minerals, or other supplements.Talk to caregivers if your liver disease symptoms change. Your treatment plan or diet may need to be changed if your symptoms get worse.
Do not eat more protein than caregivers have told you to eat.You may be limited to eating 40 gms to 60 gms of protein every day if you have serious liver disease. Or you may need 70 gms to 85 gms of protein or more every day if you have mild or moderate liver disease.
You may need to limit how much sodium you eat if your body is holding too much water. You should be eating 2000 to 3000 milligrams (mg) of sodium every day if you do not eat any of the foods listed below.
Do not use salt when cooking or eating food.
Choose low sodium products if you buy frozen or canned foods. Only buy frozen meals that have less than 400 mg of sodium in each serving.
Many people with liver failure need to drink 1-1/2 quarts (48 ounces or 1500 cc) or less of liquids each day. This liquid limit includes water and other liquids, like soups and foods cooked in liquids.
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| How can you reduce stress during the waiting period? |
Because waiting for a transplant can be so stressful, we recommend that our patients and their families consider the following suggestions.
Talk about what's on your mind. Discuss your concerns with your family or supportive friends. If you have any questions, call your transplant coordinator. If necessary, the transplant social worker may be able to recommend a counselor or put you in touch with a support group of people who have lived through similar situations. All these people can help you to redirect your energy toward more positive, enjoyable activities. Always remember that you are not alone. The transplant team is available to help you throughout the waiting period.
Maintain a healthful diet. Ask your family doctor or transplant coordinator for help in planning creative, nutritious meals.
Exercise. If possible, stay active. You don't have to refrain from activities you enjoy. If you have questions about whether a particular activity is right for you, talk with your transplant coordinator or referring physician.
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| Preparing yourself... |
Getting the call that an organ is available requires many things to be done in a short period of time. Patients can do several things to prepare in advance.
If you live far from the transplant hospital, check flight arrangements, flight schedules, airfares, and reservation requirements for both commercial and charter air companies.
Make a list of what you plan to bring with you. Storage space is limited in patient rooms, so review your list carefully and bring only the essentials.
Keep a suitcase packed and ready to go. Pack toiletries and basic personal items along with pajamas, a robe, and slippers. Your family or travel companion can keep additional clothing for you.
Make sure that your family or whoever is accompanying you to the medical center is prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Also, now is a good time to arrange for help at home after returning from the hospital.
Keep all your medications together; you will need to bring them with you to the medical center. The transplant coordinator can help you develop a checklist
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| Who needs a Liver Transplant? |
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