Though governments are increasingly funding (kidney) transplantation through special schemes, Kountz’s dream of transplantation for all those who need rather than those who afford is still a distant pipe dream for those at the bottom of social hierarchy.

The recent transplant of a pig’s heart into a man highlights the close connection between species

The absence of registries in India makes it challenging to provide a precise estimate of those developing end-stage organ failure and thus benefitting from transplantation.

Dr. Sanjay Nagral, Co-chair : Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group, speaks about ‘Transplant Coordination in India - The unique ethical challenges ‘

In any transplant, serious surgical complications are a possibility and the immunosuppressive drugs that are needed have side-effects and can predispose to deadly infections. So, when the transplant is not for a life-threatening condition, the benefits need to outweigh the risks.

Public hospitals must be brought into the loop for deceased donor programmes