A model programme

Tamil Nadu's positive experience with its two-year old cadaver transplant programme has an important message for all States: strong official policy and commitment to transparency can improve the availability of vital organs to save lives. Remarkably, Tamil Nadu has made the transition from a State with rampant kidney commerce a few years ago to one with a nationally acknowledged deceased-donor transplant programme. Chiefly, Tamil Nadu created a network for sharing of cadaver organs, administered by a designated coordinator and an advisory committee. A significant contribution has been made to the process by organisations such as the Multi Organ Harvesting Aid Network Foundation, which trains grief counsellors and raises awareness, and the National Network for Organ Sharing.