On August 13, 2024, AIIMS Rishikesh conducted an organ donation awareness session at Seema Dental Hospital & College, Rishikesh, in collaboration with the MOHAN Foundation and Akhil Bhartiya Marwadi Mahila Sammelan. The session was organized at the invitation of Dr. P. Narayan Prasad, Principal of Seema Dental Hospital & College, and was attended by Dr. Vikas Kumar Panwar, Associate Professor in the Department of Urology at AIIMS Rishikesh, and Ms. Nutan Aggrawal, Chairperson of Akhil Bhartiya Marwadi Mahila Sangathan, Rishikesh, and Organ Donation Ambassador of the MOHAN Foundation.
The session featured speakers 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. It was attended by staff, residents, and students from Seema Dental Hospital & College.
Dr. Agarwal opened 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 highlighted examples like Sh. Tej Ram, Trustee of Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi, who at 88 years old became India’s oldest organ donor, 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 how to register and pledge for organ donation 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 when critical situations arise.
The session was highly interactive, with participants actively engaging in the discussion and posing numerous questions, such as:
• What is the total cost of a kidney transplant in public hospitals?
• How can someone who needs a kidney register on the hospital's waiting list?
• Is a donor card considered a legal document?
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.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Panwar, who expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the organizing committee, MOHAN Foundation, and the attendees, followed by the National Anthem.
Approximately 80 participants attended the session.
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