by Suman Gupta
Mumbai, 13 September 2026: The Rotary Club of Organ Donation International (RCODI) organised an enlightening Speaker Meeting on “ZTCC: Bridging the Gap Between Organ Donation and Transplantation.”
The distinguished guest speaker was *Dr S. K. Mathur, MS, FACS, President, Zonal Transplantation Coordination Centre (ZTCC), Mumbai, a renowned gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary surgeon and a pioneer in the field of organ transplantation and deceased-donor organ donation in India.
Dr Mathur delivered an informative presentation on the functioning of ZTCC and the mechanisms involved in bridging the gap between organ donation and transplantation. He provided an overview of the history and legal framework of organ donation in India, and explained the establishment and functioning of ZTCCs in Maharashtra, particularly their important role in ensuring transparency, fairness and equitable allocation of donated organs.
He highlighted several challenges facing the transplantation ecosystem, including the continuing gap between the demand for and availability of organs, the need to strengthen organ retrieval and transplantation infrastructure at district-level hospitals, and the importance of creating greater awareness among both the public and medical professionals.
During the interactive session, club members, including Rtn Lal Goel, Rtn PHF Dr Rohan Monis, Rtn Nagrajan P Iyer, and Rtn Dr Ramen Goel, raised questions concerning disparities between transplantation in the public and private sectors, the cost of transplantation procedures, support mechanisms for donor families, and ways to expand access to transplantation.
Dr Mathur emphasised the importance of establishing dedicated transplant departments in government hospitals to make transplantation more accessible to patients from economically weaker sections.l
He further informed the members that the Government of Maharashtra is in the process of recognising government medical colleges as NTORCs (Non-Transplant Organ Retrieval Centres), which would facilitate organ retrieval from hospitals in remote and interior areas of the state and potentially expand the deceased-donation network.
Dr Mathur also appreciated the efforts of Rotarian Lal Goel and PDG Dr Rajendra Agarwal towards increasing the financial assistance limit for BPL patients undergoing organ transplantation in Maharashtra from ₹5 lakh to ₹22 lakh.
The online Speaker Meeting was attended by a large number of Rotary members from across India and around the world, reflecting the growing global interest in organ donation and transplantation.
Inspire President Rtn PHF Ritika Gupta introduced Dr S. K. Mathur to the members. Regal Secretary & President-Elect Rtn Ruby Agarwal proposed the vote of thanks.
The meeting was conducted by Regal Secretary & President-Elect Rtn Ruby Agarwal, presided over by Regal President Rtn Hemalatha Bhandari, and moderated by Founder & Charter President Rtn Lal Goel.
Watch the Full Meeting
🔹 GYAN YouTube Channel:
🔹 Global TV globaltv.in/live
