Introduction: The MOHAN Foundation, an NGO with 27 years of dedication to organ donation and transplantation, launched an innovative initiative in Manipur, an area with significant socioeconomic challenges. Despite being home to 51.67 million people and occupying 8% of India's territory, the North-East region lacked adequate kidney transplant services, relying on just one government hospital. This led patients to endure lengthy journeys for treatment. Collaborating with local government bodies and healthcare organizations, the Foundation aimed to enhance infrastructure, raise awareness, and improve professional training in Manipur. Initially focusing on introducing corneal and kidney transplant services, this initiative, supported by the SBI Foundation, showcased the impactful role of public-private partnerships in advancing healthcare equity by widening access to organ donation and transplantation services.
Method: At Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal, the medical infrastructure was upgraded to support kidney and corneal transplants. Local expertise was developed, including a surgeon's 6-month training at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, NHS, UK, through an exchange grant. The Foundation raised awareness, conducted training workshops, and engaged the community.
Results: Initiatives and Milestones: The collaboration achieved significant milestones, including the first living kidney transplant on June 18, 2022, followed by 37 kidney transplants from living donors. Additionally, successful deceased organ donations occurred on August 2, 2023, October 11, 2023, and February 12, 2024. Moreover, a corneal bank was established in  November, enabling the first corneal transplantation to take place, highlighting its comprehensive approach to enhancing eye banking services in the region.
Scalability and Replicability: The partnership's resource leveraging from diverse sectors contributed significantly to its success. As a result, other government hospitals have sought similar partnerships with the Foundation, seeking guidance to initiate similar programs and coordinate stakeholders for donations and transplants.
MOHAN Foundation's Feasibility-cum-Assessment study template enhances the initiative's scalability and replicability, offering valuable insights for future organ donation and transplantation efforts across the region.
Conclusion: The success of the intervention in Manipur highlights the transformative impact of collaborative efforts among diverse stakeholders. Through a multifaceted approach including awareness campaigns, training, advocacy, and the initiation of renal and corneal transplants, the partnership addressed access and inequity in healthcare. This collaboration serves as a blueprint for addressing organ donation challenges in other underserved regions, demonstrating the potential for impactful change through concerted action.