After a long wait, logistical support to facilitate organ and tissue transplants across Kerala has finally been launched in the state, a move that is expected to significantly boost organ transplant activities. Earlier this month, the Kerala Organ and Tissue Transplantation Organization (K-SOTTO) set up a nationwide taxi service to provide logistical support. the empaneled service provider will deliver vehicles as needed.
After its introduction, a specialized logistics service has already assisted in the transport of blood samples during recent organ donation procedures. About six such logistics services have been successfully utilized since the empanelment, said K-SOTTO Executive Director and State Convener of the Organ Transplant Program Mrithasanjeevani Dr. Noble Gracious.
“Once relatives have given their consent for organ donation, it is extremely important that the remains of the deceased donor are handed over as soon as possible after organ collection. To facilitate this, we must avoid any delay and logistical services will help ensure this,” said Dr Gracious. He added that the service will help save time associated with various organ transplants and related activities.
“Even during the recent organ donation with Aalin Sherin, the recipient was in Thiruvananthapuram while the donor hospital was in Ernakulam. We used the service to transport blood samples from both donor and recipient to the immunology lab in Ernakulam for cross-matching and the results were obtained in a time-bound manner,” said Dr.
According to Manilal JR, a logistics service provider, the company’s previous experience in providing limited-time logistics services was helpful. “We have our own vehicles to provide services. In addition, we have tied up with other agencies to complement our fleet and provide ambulance and taxi services depending on the urgency and demand,” said Mr. Manilal.
Logistics services will be used to transport organs from collection centers to transplant centers; transportation of cross samples; arranging for empaneled physicians to be transported from their residences to hospitals for brainstem death certification; facilitating the transport of teams of doctors conducting inspections and audits in transplant centers; and providing patient transportation to transfer brain-dead patients, among other things, from other hospitals to transplant centers.
Published – March 8, 2026 9:47 PM IST
