Africa-Press – Mauritius. A Workshop on Human Tissue (Removal, Preservation and Transplant) Act 2018, aiming to serve as an information and awareness platform on the practical and operational aspects of this Act, opened this morning at the Intercontinental Mauritius Resort, in Balaclava.
The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, and stakeholders from the health sector as well as representatives from Non-Governmental Organisations, and the Civil Society, were present.
In his address, Dr Jagutpal highlighted the importance for all stakeholders and the team that will be involved in conducting organ transplants to become familiar with all the sections of the Human Tissue Act 2018.
For him, it is necessary to properly communicate in simple language and raise awareness on the Act 2018 and its Regulations among the population. The Minister also emphasised the necessity to define the operational side to implement provisions of the Act and the prerequisite to have proper coordination and collaboration.
He likewise indicated that operationalisation will start within one year with organ donations of kidneys, cornea and bones depending on the preservation aspect.
The health system of Mauritius, recalled Dr Jagutpal, cuts across different regions through the various regional health hospitals and we have to ensure that the Regional Health Directors and the Medical Officers understand this legislation and that the same information be imparted to one and all to avoid confusions and to allow members of the public make informed choices if they want to become donors in the future.
Referring to the World Health Organisation, the Minister stated that human tissue transplants are carried out in nearly more than 90 countries and about 100,000 organ transplants are performed each year, out of which, 70% concerns the transplant of kidneys with the kidney organ taking the major share.
Speaking about kidney transplants, the Minister announced that Dr Rajasekhar, kidney specialist from India, will be conducting kidney transplants in Mauritius.
In the near future, Dr Fatehmamode who is from the UK and has been employed by the Ministry of Health and Wellness on a contract basis for a period of six months, will be called upon to work with Dr Rajasekhar and carry out renal transplant, he added.
The Human Tissue (Removal, Preservation and Transplant) Act 2018 was passed at the National Assembly in May 2018 and as at date this Act has only been partly proclaimed and made effective since January 2019 namely parts one and two comprising of sections one to seven and where the Board was set up and has worked out all the Regulations.
These sections provide for the establishment and functioning of the Tissue Donation, Removal and Transplant Board which is chaired by the Director General, Health Services, Ministry of Health and Wellness.
The one-day workshop is focusing on the following: transplantation in Mauritius; brain death; role of ICU and the anesthetist; organ harvesting, preservation, implantation and post-operative management; transplant vs dialysis, patient preparation and listing; role of transplant coordinators; organ allocation; principles of immunosuppression; infective complications post-transplant; laboratory support in transplantation; patient long-term follow-up and life after transplant. A working session for the elaboration of an awareness campaign for the public on the 2018 Act is also scheduled.
For More News And Analysis About Mauritius Follow Africa-Press
