Every year approximately 30-40 brain dead organ donations are taking place in and around Coimbatore. This city accounts for more than 25% of all organ donations in Tamil Nadu. The large number is achieved due to awareness among public regarding organ donation. Organs like liver, kidney and heart are routinely used to save several patients with organ failure. However, pancreas transplant was not attempted due to lack of awareness and facility.
Dr. P R Rajkumar, Medical Director of PSG Hospital stated that "In addition to successfully doing liver transplantation PSG Hospital now has the facility and approval to do pancreas transplant. This is the only centre after Chennai to offer such a service in Tamil Nadu."
Around the globe pancreas transplant has become the standard treatment for type 1 diabetic patients who have diabetes related complications like kidney failure (nephropathy), eye problem (retinopathy), neurpathy, Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Swaminathan said "Pancreas transplants are usually done as combined pancreas and kidney transplant and they have an excellent long term success rate of over 80%. Dr. Joseph, transplant surgeon added "Pancreas transplant significantly improves the quality of life and halts the progression of diabetes related complications.
Dr Senthil, endocrinologist at PSG Hospital said "After a successful pancreas transplant more than 75% will remain free of insulin treatment in long term." This hospital hopes that people with Type 1 diabetes utilise this service at the hospital and gets benefited.