Maharashtra: Eye bank to be set up at IGGMC, Nagpur

Nagpur: An eye bank and a Keratoplasty Center at the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital have been given a nod to by the state government. Along with this consent comes the granting of an organ transplant consent and a certification for operation for the eye bank and the Keratoplasty Center.

The state government’s consent brings the much awaited relief as the long waiting list of cornea transplants seems to be growing longer. "The center will give new life to the patients requiring cornea transplant and were stuck in the long waiting list. Starting it at the earliest will be our main focus. On October 10, a meeting has been scheduled to push the process forward."

The state had only two centers for organ transplant, these being — Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and Mahatme Eye Bank and Hospital. The third at IGGMCH is a welcome addition indeed.

All cornea collections for the IGGMC operations were being conducted by the government health hubs. Now with five surgeon, one anesthetist and nurse the IGGMCH will be able give a fresh lease of life.

IGMCH dean Dr Meenakshi Wahane Gajbhiye said, "The center will give new life to the patients requiring cornea transplant and were stuck in the long waiting list. Starting it at the earliest will be our main focus. On October 10, a meeting has been scheduled to push the process forward."

The waiting list of cornea transplant patients is around 1,100. The present data shows only 32 cornea transplants having been were performed at the GMCH. The donations made in the division are not even 20% as compared to the demands of the state.

Due to a lacuna of the facility at the GMCH ,corneas get wasted. At present one cornea is used for a single patient. However, if GMCH get a cornea specialist a single cornea donation could be used on three patients. For the moment no cornea specialist appointments have been made at center coming at IGMCH.

District civil surgeon Dr. Umesh Navade, who made special efforts to get the Center's approval, said, "It was a very long waiting list for cornea transplant. Therefore, this center is going to play a big role in increasing donations and performing more number of Keratoplasty."

The four surgeons appointed at the center include, Dr N G Raut, Head of Ophthalmology Department, Dr Sudhir Pendke, Dr Ravi Chauhan, Dr Sachin Agarwal, Dr Jayshree Tikhaar.

For eyes donation at IGGMCH, one can call on 0712-2728621.