Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is planning to increase the budget for organ transplants under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced on Wednesday, pledging wider financial support for patients in need. The commitment came during a moving ceremony at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children to mark World Organ Donation Day, where donor families were honoured for their life-saving contributions.
Wadia Hospital Secures Pediatric Heart Transplant License
The event, filled with emotion and gratitude, featured a soulful prayer dance by Riddhi-Siddhi and a musical performance by transplant recipient children alongside their doctors. Wadia Hospital used the occasion to announce a major milestone — it has secured a licence to perform pediatric heart transplants and will soon apply for pancreas, intestine, and lung transplant licences, making it one of the few centres in the country to offer multiple pediatric transplants under one roof.
Santacruz Girl’s Gift of Life Saves Many
Among those honoured was the family of 12-year-old Vaidehi Bhau Tanavde from Santacruz, who was declared brain-dead after a sudden illness. Her family donated her kidneys, liver, and heart, saving multiple lives. “Organ donation means saving lives and honouring those who make it possible,” said Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO of Wadia Hospitals, stressing that no child is denied treatment due to inability to pay.
Push for Greater Awareness in Pediatric Organ Donation
Since starting its transplant programme, Wadia Hospital has performed eight liver transplants and eight kidney transplants, with a mix of living-related and deceased donors. Dr Pradnya Bendre, head of the hospital’s pediatric surgery and organ transplantation division, called for greater awareness about pediatric organ donation, noting that the waiting list remains long despite its life-saving potential.
State to Honour Organ Donors from August 15
Abitkar announced that from August 15, all organ donors in Maharashtra will receive a certificate signed by their district collector and be honoured by the guardian ministers. “We must create awareness and remove fear about organ donation,” he said.
