On November 27, 2024, the Department of Gastroenterology at AIIMS Rishikesh, in collaboration with MOHAN Foundation, conducted an organ donation awareness session in the Gastroenterology OPD waiting area.
The session was led by Mr. Sanchit Arora, Project Leader at MOHAN Foundation stationed at AIIMS Rishikesh, along with Mr. Deshraj Solanki, Transplant Coordinator at AIIMS Rishikesh. It was attended by patient attendants, senior residents, nursing staff, and support staff, including bearers and sweepers, from the Department of Gastroenterology.
The session began with an introduction to MOHAN Foundation, highlighting its mission and objectives. Mr. Sanchit Arora then provided an in-depth explanation of organ donation and its importance, covering the following key topics:
• The significance of organ donation and who can become a donor.
• Distinction between living and deceased donors.
• Organ donation during life and after death.
• The concept of brain death and its difference from coma.
• Eye and skin donation, including steps to preserve corneas post-death.
• Overview of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994.
• Living kidney transplantation facilities at AIIMS Rishikesh.
• Steps individuals can take to contribute to the cause.
• Common myths and facts about organ donation.
Mr. Arora emphasized the critical need for organ donation in India and encouraged participants to discuss the topic with their families, friends, and colleagues to create a ripple effect of awareness.
The session was interactive, with participants posing several questions, including:
• How much time do families have to decide at the time of death?
• What is the duration of the organ donation procedure?
• Are there age limits for donors?
• What legal documents are required for pledging?
• Can someone pledge for organ donation on behalf of a family member?
Participants expressed appreciation for the efforts of AIIMS Rishikesh and MOHAN Foundation and showed willingness to discuss the subject with their families.
Approximately 60 individuals attended the session. Notably, two participants—a father-in-law and his daughter-in-law—pledged to donate their organs on the spot through the NOTTO website.
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