On August 30, 2024, AIIMS Rishikesh, in collaboration with the MOHAN Foundation, conducted an organ donation awareness session at Quantum University, Roorkee. The session was organized at the invitation of Dr. Manish Srivastava, Director of the Quantum School of Management, and was attended by Dr. Ankur Mittal, Additional Professor & HOD of the Department of Urology at AIIMS Rishikesh.
The session featured presentations by Dr. Harshit Agarwal, Senior Resident in the Department of Urology at AIIMS Rishikesh, and Mr. Sanchit Arora, Project Leader at the MOHAN Foundation based at AIIMS Rishikesh. The event saw participation from the staff and students of the Department of Commerce & Management at Quantum University.
Dr. Agarwal commenced the session by discussing the complexities of advanced clinical procedures in organ transplantation and the challenges posed by the limited availability of organs. He provided a comprehensive overview of the current status of organ donation in India, addressing topics such as:
• The necessity of deceased organ donation
• Kidney transplant waiting lists in Asia
• The number of renal transplants performed in Uttarakhand
• The relationship between religion and organ donation
• The Transplantation of Human Organs & Tissues Act of 1994
• Advantages of transplant surgeries compared to alternative treatments
• Recent advancements in transplant procedures
• The living kidney transplantation facility at AIIMS Rishikesh
• Frequently asked questions by patients’ families
• Green corridors for organ transportation
Mr. Arora followed with a discussion on the inclusivity of organ donation, emphasizing that individuals of any race, religion, ethnicity, or age can become donors. He cited examples such as Sh. Tej Ram, Trustee of Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, who became India’s oldest organ donor at 88 years old, and a 70-hour-old baby at PGIMER whose kidneys were donated in February. Mr. Arora also explained the processes for eye and skin donation, including how these donations can be made at home and the steps families should follow if a death occurs at home.
He provided an overview of the need for organ donation, explaining who can donate and what organs can be donated. Through a video presentation, he elucidated the concept of brain death and addressed common perceptions and myths surrounding organ donation. Additionally, he detailed the process for registering and pledging to donate organs after death and displayed the MOHAN Foundation's 24/7 helpline number.
Emotional videos were strategically interspersed throughout the session to promote organ donation and foster an emotional connection with the audience. Mr. Arora concluded by emphasizing the importance of proactive family discussions about organ donation to facilitate smoother decision-making in critical situations.
Dr. Mittal highlighted the vast network established in India by the National Organ Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), the apex body of the Ministry of Health responsible for organ allocation. He explained how alerts are sent to all ROTTOs and SOTTOs for organ allocation across the country. Dr. Mittal also discussed the first deceased organ donation case at AIIMS Rishikesh and emphasized the importance of communicating one’s wishes to family members regarding organ donation. Additionally, he pointed out the cold ischemia times for different organs.
The session was highly interactive, with participants actively engaging in the discussion and posing numerous questions, such as:
• If someone passes away at home, is it possible to donate their organs?
• If a person dies from a scissor attack, can their organs be donated?
• What is the cold ischemic time for lungs and kidneys?
• Is it possible to buy or sell organs like kidneys?
• Why are families usually not informed about the brain death of a patient in hospitals?
• How can someone in need of a kidney register on the hospital's waiting list?
At the end of the session, participants applauded the efforts of AIIMS Rishikesh and the MOHAN Foundation, with many expressing their intention to discuss organ donation with their families and make pledges.
Dr. Nirmesh Sharma, Coordinator of the Department of Commerce & Finance at Quantum University, mentioned that organ trafficking is often reported in the news due to the shortage of organs and long waiting lists. However, he urged the audience to consider that if more people decided to donate their organs after death, organ trafficking in India could be eradicated.
Ms. Mausmi, a Professor in the Department of Commerce & Finance at Quantum University, emphasized that there is no greater gift than organ donation, encouraging everyone to pledge to donate blood while living and organs after passing.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Mittal, who expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the organizing committee, the MOHAN Foundation, and the attendees.
Approximately 200 participants attended the session.
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