Kidney patient loses life to red tapism

KOCHI: The tedious government paper work took its first toll on Friday when the delay in clearing documents led to the passing away of a patient, Jacob Mathew, who was waiting to get a kidney from a donor under the kidney bank programme of the Thrissur-based Kidney Federation of India.The kidney donor chain was started off by industrialist and V-Guard managing director Kochuouseph Chittilappilly by donating his kidney. Jacob Mathew, a prospective recipient of the donor chain, died while on his way to the press conference in which a second chain of the kidney bank was announced with a new donor, Pavaratty-resident Mary Joshy. The chain will begin with Mary Joshy donating her kidney to Kuriakose of Mannamangalam while Kuriakose’s wife Jisha will donate her kidney to Leven of Ernakulam. Leven’s wife will donate her kidney to Balakrishnan of Kozhikode. Addressing the press conference, Kochouseph Chittilappilly and a visibly-upset Fr Davis Chiramel said that Jacob Mathew would have survived had the kidney been transplanted on time. Jacob was to get a kidney from the wife of Jolly who is the recipient of Kochouseph’s donor kidney. “The delay was initially owing to Jacob’s ill-health and later when he was ready for transplantation, the whole documentation process led to his death on Friday afternoon,” Fr Chiramel said. “While one appreciates the main purpose behind the government’s process owing to  kidney trading, it would be better if the committee meets more frequently and clears the process,” Fr Chiramel said. At the press conference, Kochouseph handed over a cheque of Rs 2 lakh on behalf of Thomas Chittappilly Trust to Joshy Wayanad who donated his kidney.  “It is in appreciation of the selfless gesture of the young man,” Kochouseph said.