Archive · 3 Jun 2025
Goa's GMC Delays Eye Bank Amidst Transplant Aspirations
Goa's main hospital wants to perform organ transplants, but its eye bank is delayed.
The eye bank, which could help people see again, is stuck because they haven't hired staff yet.
Even though they have space and equipment, they can't use them.
Some people want to donate their loved ones' eyes, but they can't because there's no eye bank.
Officials believe starting with eye donations would encourage more people to donate other organs.
Private hospitals get corneas from other places, but they don't collect them in Goa.
One group is raising awareness about eye donation but is discouraged by the lack of an eye bank.
GMC is looking to start liver, heart, and lung transplants.
The eye bank project is delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Staff recruitment of technicians and counselors is pending.
Officials believe starting with tissue donation will encourage overall organ donation.
Awareness campaigns have increased donation interest, but the lack of an eye bank is an obstacle.
- Who
- The Goa Medical College (GMC) and the state organ and tissue transplant organization (SOTTO).
- What
- Goa's main hospital is delayed in starting an eye bank despite plans to perform liver, heart, and lung transplants.
- When
- The eye bank has been in the planning stages for years, but is yet to be launched.
- Where
- Goa.
- Why
- Bureaucratic hurdles, including a lack of staff, have prevented the eye bank from opening.
- Hospital Involved
- GMC
- Eye Bank Planning Time
- Years
- Reason for Delay
- Bureaucratic hurdles and staff recruitment delays.
- Current Situation
- Two private hospitals have MoUs for cornea procurement, but retrieve corneas outside of Goa.
- Positions Needed
- Two technicians and two counselors