I have been involved in the transplant scene of Kerala after our team carried out the first hand transplant in the country in 2015. Eventhough initially I got introduced the fascinating world of organ donation and organ transplantation as a transplant surgeon , soon I evolved into a person who is involved in all transplant related activity in the state and the country. I would say that we were fortunate in Kerala to have the organ transplant activities organised under the umbrella of KNOS. During the initial years KNOS gave leadership making getting Kerala in the forefront of organ donation after death. It served as a forum where we could discuss and develop strategies for conducting the transplant related activities in the state in an ethical way. KNOS has been now replaced by K SOTTO which is a welcome development and progress in the right direction for the population of our state. The formation of K SOTTO has been after getting feedbacks from all personnel involved in the transplant related activities in this state on the deficiencies of the existing systems. This was necessary as there were lot of issues that needed rectification to make the transplant scenario Kerala brighter like before and transparent. The formation of this organisation as an independent body under the aegesis of the Government of Kerala is one of the milestones to catalyse the progress of organ donation and transplantation in the state. As in many fields, Kerala has led the way for the country especially in health related activities. The objectives and the work flow that is being adopted by KSOTTO will also be setting example for the country in regulating and promoting organ transplantation and donation .

Dr. Subramania Iyer K.

Clinical Professor and Chairman
Centre for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Centre for Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology, Craniomaxillofacial Surgery