On October 5, 2024, AIIMS Rishikesh, in collaboration with the Rotary Club Rishikesh Divas and MOHAN Foundation, held an organ donation awareness session at the Government Inter College, Rishikesh. The session was organized at the invitation of the college's Principal, Mr. Rajeev Lochan Singh, and was attended by Dr. Arup Kumar Mandal, Professor in the Department of Urology at AIIMS Rishikesh; Dr. Hariom Prasad, Assistant Governor of the Rotary Club Rishikesh; and Ms. Tanu Jain, President of Rotary Club Rishikesh Divas.
The speakers included Dr. Harshit Agarwal, Senior Resident in the Department of Urology at AIIMS Rishikesh; Mr. Mahipal Chuohan, Manager at the Rishikesh Eye Bank, AIIMS Rishikesh; and Mr. Sanchit Arora, Project Leader at MOHAN Foundation, based at AIIMS Rishikesh.
The audience comprised Rotary Club members, college staff, and students. Mr. Chuohan began the session by presenting the accomplishments of the Rishikesh Eye Bank and explaining the process of eye and skin donations, particularly how donations can be facilitated at home following a death. He highlighted that while 500,000 blind individuals need eye donations annually, only 150,000 donations are made.
Dr. Agarwal discussed the complexities of organ transplantation, covering:
• The importance of deceased organ donation,
• Kidney transplant waiting lists in Asia,
• Renal transplant statistics in Uttarakhand,
• The role of religion in organ donation,
• The Transplantation of Human Organs & Tissues Act 1994,
• The benefits of transplant surgeries compared to alternative treatments,
• Recent advancements in transplantation,
• AIIMS Rishikesh's living kidney transplant services,
• Common questions from patients’ families, and
• Green corridors for organ transportation.
Mr. Arora focused on the inclusivity of organ donation, explaining that donors can come from any race, religion, or age. He shared examples, such as Sh. Tej Ram, India’s oldest organ donor at 88, and a 70-hour-old infant donor. He further explained the eligibility for organ donation, debunked myths, and showed videos on brain death. Mr. Arora encouraged attendees to discuss organ donation with their families and shared the MOHAN Foundation's helpline for further guidance.
The interactive session included questions such as:
• The costs of kidney transplants in public and private hospitals,
• Blood group compatibility requirements for organ transplants,
• Maximum age limits for skin donation,
• The necessity of death declarations for corneal donation, and
• The possibility of changing one’s decision after pledging for organ donation.
A poster-making competition was held in the college’s main auditorium, with 15 students participating. The top three winners received prizes and certificates. This competition aimed to creatively express the importance of organ donation in society.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Professor Mandal, acknowledging the efforts of all organizers and attendees. Close to 450 participants attended the session, which ended with the National Anthem.
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