AIIMS study, Pg1.

Key Highlights:

• An AIIMS study reveals gaps in brain death certification protocols across Indian hospitals.
• Only 18% of organ donations in 2024 came from deceased donors, highlighting the impact of certification issues.
• 3,403 organs were transplanted from deceased donors last year, but the rate is still less than one per million population.
• The study points out that nearly 2 lakh people experience brain death annually, but only around 1,100 donate organs.

Detailed Insights:

• The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 mandates brain death declaration for organ donation.
• Brain death must be declared promptly to maintain organ viability for transplantation, which ranges from 4-12 hours depending on the organ.
• The study indicates a significant knowledge gap among physicians regarding the legal and procedural aspects of brain death certification.
• A lack of standardized protocols and training leads to many uncertified brain deaths, despite the presence of transplant centers.
• Many doctors surveyed reported witnessing between 20 and 50 silent brain deaths (uncertified) in their institutions.
• The absence of a standardized checklist for brain death declaration in many hospitals contributes to missed tests and incomplete documentation.
• Discrepancies exist among doctors regarding acceptable physiological parameters for brain death certification, such as temperature and pH levels.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Brain Death: Irreversible cessation of all brain functions, even with ventilator support.
• Clinical Death: Permanent cessation of both breathing and blood circulation.
• Organ Perfusion: The process of maintaining blood flow through organs to preserve their viability.
• Deceased Donor: A person who has been declared brain dead and whose organs are used for transplantation.