Delhi Doctors Make History with Asia’s First Organ Donation After Restarting Blood Circulation
In a landmark achievement, Delhi doctors have successfully revived blood circulation in a deceased patient to enable organ donation—the first such case in Asia. This revolutionary Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) technique could transform transplant medicine by drastically increasing the availability of organs. The milestone was accomplished by a team at Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in collaboration with other Delhi hospitals.
How the Breakthrough DCD Procedure Works
Unlike traditional organ donations—which rely on brain-dead donors with functioning hearts—DCD allows retrieval after the heart stops. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Declaration of Circulatory Death – Doctors confirm death after the heart stops for ~5 minutes.
- Restarting Circulation – Using Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP), a machine temporarily restores blood flow to organs (excluding the brain).
- Organ Retrieval – Organs like the liver, kidneys, and pancreas are harvested and preserved for transplant.
This method keeps organs viable for longer, improving transplant success rates.
Why This is a Lifesaving Milestone for India
India faces a critical organ shortage, with only 0.65 donors per million people—far below countries like Spain (49 donors/million). Nearly 500,000 Indians die yearly due to organ unavailability. The DCD protocol can:
✅ Expand donor pool – Includes cardiac death patients (previously ineligible).
✅ Cut wait times – Some patients wait years for kidneys or livers.
✅ Enhance organ quality – NRP mimics natural circulation, reducing damage.
Dr. Vivek Vij, a key surgeon in the team, said: “This is a paradigm shift—we can save more lives without ethical compromises.”
Ethical and Legal Safeguards
While groundbreaking, the procedure raises important considerations:
🔹 Consent – Families must fully understand the process before approval.
🔹 Time Sensitivity – Revival must begin within minutes to prevent organ damage.
🔹 Legal Updates – India’s Transplantation of Human Organs Act (1994) may need revisions for DCD.
Medical teams assure strict protocols to uphold ethical standards. An ILBS spokesperson stated: “Patient dignity remains our priority.”
Global Comparisons and Future of DCD in Asia
Countries like Spain and the UK already use DCD, contributing to their high donation rates. India’s adoption could inspire similar advancements across Asia, where organ donation awareness lags.
What’s Next?
✔ More hospitals adopting DCD.
✔ Public awareness campaigns.
✔ Government incentives for donors.
A New Lease on Life for Transplant Patients
For patients like Priya M., 32, who waited 2 years for a liver, this breakthrough is life-changing. “More organs mean hope for people like me,” she shared.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for Organ Transplants
Delhi’s medical milestone cements India’s role in innovative healthcare, offering a solution to the organ crisis. As DCD protocols expand, they could save countless lives—proving that even after death, hope continues.
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