Tag: Medical Education

Special Occasion

Organ Donation in Goa: Dr. Preeti Varghese, SOTTO Joint Director

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

🫀 Every year on August 13, World Organ Donation Day is observed to raise awareness and encourage people to pledge their organs to save lives. This year’s theme, “Answering the Call”, puts the spotlight on healthcare professionals and communities working together to make organ donation a shared responsibility.

Dr. Preeti Varghese, Joint Director of SOTTO Goa, joins AllyCaral.com to share insights on how Goa is advancing this mission through community engagement, education, and public trust.

What is SOTTO Goa?

Established in October 2019 at Goa Medical College, SOTTO Goa is a vital link in India’s National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP). It regulates deceased donor organ transplants in the state and ensures organ retrieval, storage, and transplantation complies with the Transplantation of Human Organ Act (THOA), 1994.

Key functions include:

  • Organ donation facilitation
  • Organ allocation coordination
  • Maintenance of donor/recipient registries
  • Awareness campaigns and medical training
  • Implementation of national transplant schemes

Awareness Efforts in Goa

SOTTO Goa is actively creating awareness through a diverse set of initiatives:

  • Training programs for medical professionals
  • CMEs and CNEs for continuous education
  • Public campaigns including poster competitions, ad films, walkathons, and awareness drives in schools, colleges, corporates, and social clubs.

These efforts aim to normalize organ donation in daily conversations and break common myths that hinder participation.

Common Myths About Organ Donation

❌ “I’m too old to donate.”
 ✅ Age is not a barrier. Anyone above 18 can pledge. Medical suitability is determined later.

❌ “My body will be disfigured.”
 ✅ Organs are retrieved with surgical precision and dignity — similar to any medical surgery. There is no disfigurement.

How to Pledge in Goa

It’s simple:
👉 Visit notto.abdm.gov.in and register your pledge online.

A printable donor card and digital acknowledgment will be provided.

The Reality: Shortage Still Persists

India’s organ donation rate stands at just 0.6 per million population. In Goa, only kidney and cornea transplants are currently available, and as of now, 80 patients are on the deceased donor kidney transplant waiting list under the Nave Jivit scheme.

Public Attitude: A Slow but Steady Shift

Dr. Varghese believes public attitudes are shifting — but more people need to step forward.

“Organs can’t be manufactured or bought. Only one human can save another through donation,” she emphasizes.

The Role of Youth and Institutions

Dr. Varghese calls on students and schools to take the lead in creating conversations around organ donation:

“The right time to talk is now — when we’re healthy, surrounded by friends and family — not in times of grief.”

Final Message:

“#SayYesToOrganDonation.”
 Let’s step forward and support this noble cause. Your decision today could give someone else a tomorrow.

Health Scope

Gallbladder Stone Disease: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention Explained by Dr. Vardhan S Bhobe

allycaralgoa

Written by Dr. Vardhan S Bhobe, MS General Surgery, FIAGES, FAIS, General and Laparoscopic Surgeon

Gallbladder stone disease, or cholelithiasis, refers to the formation of gallstones—solid stones formed mainly from cholesterol or bilirubin—within the gallbladder. It is a common condition affecting up to 10–15% of the adult population, with higher prevalence in women, multiparity, individuals over 40, obese individuals, and those with a sedentary lifestyle or certain ethnic backgrounds (e.g., Native Americans).

Gallstones are broadly classified into cholesterol stones (most common in Western countries) and pigment stones (more common in Asia and in patients with hemolytic disorders or chronic infections). Cholesterol stones form due to bile supersaturation with cholesterol, gallbladder hypomotility, and mucus hypersecretion, which facilitates stone nucleation and growth.

Most gallstones are asymptomatic, discovered incidentally on imaging. However, symptomatic cholelithiasis can lead to biliary colic, characterized by sudden, intense, right upper quadrant or epigastric pain that may radiate to the right shoulder or back. This pain typically follows 2 hours after a fatty meal and may last from 30 minutes to several hours.

Complications of gallstone disease include:

  • Acute cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
  • Choledocholithiasis (stones in the common bile duct)
  • Cholangitis (bile duct infection)
  • Gallstone pancreatitis
  • Gallbladder empyema or perforation

Diagnosis is usually made via ultrasonography, which is highly sensitive and specific for detecting gallstones. Additional imaging like MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography) or ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) may be necessary for suspected ductal stones or complications.

Management depends on symptoms and complications:

  • Asymptomatic gallstones typically do not require treatment.
  • Symptomatic gallstones or complicated cases warrant laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the gold standard treatment. Laparoscopic Surgery is painless, cosmetic due to minimal cuts, bloodless, without stitches, often daycare with a quick recovery and fast return to work.
  • Non-surgical options, like oral bile acid dissolution therapy (ursodeoxycholic acid) or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, are mostly ineffective.
  • In high-risk surgical patients, percutaneous drainage or endoscopic interventions may be considered, to tide over an emergency.

Prevention includes weight control, dietary modifications (low-fat, high-fiber diets), and physical activity. Rapid weight loss should be avoided, as it increases the risk of stone formation. Top of Form

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Social

Hemophilia Conclave 2025: A Groundbreaking Event in Hemophilia Care

allycaralgoa

Goa, India – March 21, 2025 – The Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics at Goa Medical College successfully hosted the Hemophilia Conclave 2025, a landmark event dedicated to advancing hemophilia care and management. The conclave took place on March 21, 2025, at the Goa Medical College Auditorium.

A Gathering of Experts and Stakeholders

The event was graced by the Honorable Health Minister of Goa, Shri Vishwajeet Rane, as the Chief Guest. Renowned hematologist Dr. Tulika Seth from AIIMS Delhi served as the Guest Speaker. The conclave brought together the medical fraternity, students, and patient bodies, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the field of hemophilia care.

Transforming Hemophilia Care

Titled “Transforming Hemophilia Care,” the conclave highlighted the latest advancements in hemophilia treatments, innovative management practices, and strategies to improve patient outcomes. The event featured insightful presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, providing a comprehensive platform for discussing the complexities of hemophilia care.

Curated by the Hemophilia Society Panaji Chapter

The event was curated by the Hemophilia Society Panaji Chapter, a patient body catering to hemophilia patients in Goa under the Hemophilia Federation of India. The society’s efforts in organizing the conclave demonstrated their commitment to advancing hemophilia care and improving the lives of patients and their families.

A Milestone in Hemophilia Care

The Hemophilia Conclave 2025 marked a significant milestone in the journey towards transforming hemophilia care. The event’s success reflected the collective efforts of the medical community, patient bodies, and stakeholders in advancing the field of hemophilia care.