On August 3, 2024, MOHAN Foundation was invited by various hospitals in Imphal, Manipur—namely Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), and Shija Hospitals & Research Institute Pvt. Ltd. (SHRI)—to participate in the 14th Indian Organ Donation Day.
This year's campaign was titled "Angdaan Jan Jagrukta Abhiyaan," and August 3, 2024, was observed as Indian Organ Donation Day to commemorate the first deceased donor organ transplant, which was also the first heart transplant in the country after the promulgation of “The Transplantation of Human Organs Act” on July 8, 1994. The objective of the day was to spread awareness about organ donation, dispel myths and misconceptions associated with it, and encourage citizens to donate organs and tissues after death, while instilling the value of organ donation in their lives.
Observation at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal
In association with MOHAN Foundation, JNIMS organized "Indian Organ Donation Day" in the meeting hall of the Medical Superintendent, JNIMS. Ms. Laishram Monica Devi, Programme Officer of MOHAN Foundation, attended the event along with various department heads of JNIMS.
Ms. Monica began the program by introducing the "Angdaan Jan Jagrukta Abhiyaan" awareness campaign and emphasizing the importance of the day’s observance. She highlighted the specific objectives of the campaign and outlined detailed action plans that could be implemented in line with the campaign. Following her presentation, Ms. Monica invited Prof. Kh. Lokeshwar, Medical Superintendent of JNIMS, to speak.
Prof. Kh. Lokeshwar addressed the group, stressing the importance of raising awareness among healthcare professionals and the general public to increase the number of potential donors and reduce waiting lists. He also expressed his deepest gratitude to the MOHAN Foundation team for promoting public awareness about organ donation and for coordinating with JNIMS and the state government to facilitate and expand the deceased organ donation program.
Prof. S. Thoibahenba, from the Department of Anaesthesiology at JNIMS, shared stories of deceased donors and commended the transplant team for their relentless efforts in deceased organ donation and transplantation.
The program concluded with a brief speech by Prof. Kangjam Sholay Meitei, from the Department of Urology at JNIMS.
Close to 30 participants attended the program.
Observation at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal
MOHAN Foundation was invited to the "Angdaan Mahotsav: Indian Organ Donation Day 2024," organized by the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, at Jubilee Hall. Ms. Monica attended the event.
The dignitaries of the program included Prof. G. Sunil Kumar Sharma, Director of RIMS, Imphal; Prof. Naorem Lokendra Singh, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal; and Prof. N. Sanjib Singh, Medical Superintendent. The main events of the program included a slogan-writing competition on organ donation for students, honouring deceased donor families, the felicitation of MOHAN Foundation, and speeches by resource persons and dignitaries, followed by a prize distribution ceremony for the competition winners.
Prof. Sanjib Singh Nepram, Medical Superintendent of RIMS, appreciated MOHAN Foundation for its contribution to organ donation and felicitated Ms. Laishram Monica Devi on their behalf.
Close to 200 participants attended the program.
Observation at Shija Hospitals & Research Institute Pvt. Ltd. (SHRI), Imphal
MOHAN Foundation was invited to conduct an awareness program as part of the celebration of "Indian Organ Donation Day" at Shija Hospitals & Research Institute Pvt. Ltd. (SHRI). Ms. Monica attended the program as one of the resource persons.
Ms. Anisha Khundongbam, Assistant Manager of Operations & Quality Management at SHRI, coordinated the event. Staff members of SHRI and members of the Body Organ Donation Association Manipur (BODAM) attended the program. Dr. Nongthombam Saratchandra Singh, Ex-Professor & Head of the Anatomy Department at Shija Academy of Health Sciences, delivered a speech on voluntary body donation.
Ms. Monica presented an awareness session on the "Concepts of Organ Donation." She introduced MOHAN Foundation, its aims, and its objectives.
She then covered various topics, including:
• The laws enacted for transplantation
• Types of donors
• Brain death vs. coma
• Facts and myths about organ donation
• The importance of the donor card
• The significance of family consent in the organ donation process
• A video presentation on the organ donation process as a tribute to deceased donor families
At the end of the program, Dr. Palin commended the remarkable work done by MOHAN Foundation in the field of organ donation. He also encouraged everyone to understand the importance of saving lives through this noble act.
Close to 100 participants attended the program.