On September 11, 2023, MOHAN Foundation was invited to participate in "Legacy of Renewed Hope," an organ donation felicitation programme organised by Shija Hospital and Research Institute Pvt. Ltd., Langol, Manipur (SHRI). The programme was held to honour the first deceased organ donor of Manipur and of North East India.
Shri Sarungbam Kennedy Singh, aged 42, was the first deceased organ donor to give end-stage renal disease patients a second chance at life on August 2, 2023, after being certified brain-stem dead at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Porompat, Manipur. The JNIMS transplant team successfully retrieved both the kidneys and in accordance with the principle of sharing organs, one kidney was transplanted to a patient in the JNIMS waiting list, and the other was transplanted to a patient in the SHRI waiting list.
Ms. Anusuiya Uikey, the Honourable Governor of Manipur, and Dr. Palin Khundongbam, Chairman and Managing Director of SHRI, were the Chief Guest and President of the programme, respectively. The programme was attended by Prof. Maisnam Amuba Singh, Dean of Shija Academy of Health Sciences, Prof. Kaushik Debnath, Medical Superintendent of SHRI, and other participants from JNIMS, Directorate of Health Services Manipur, District Administration of Imphal East and Imphal West, and the Police Department, among others.
Dr. Guliver Potshangbam, Consultant Nephrologist and Director of Transplants at SHRI, welcomed the program's guests and attendees.
During the programme, the Honourable Governor presented Mrs. Sarungbam Amusana Devi, the mother of the late Sarungbam Kennedy, with a shawl and a certificate. Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam, Director of Medical Services at SHRI, subsequently felicitated other stakeholders at the event.
Following the presentation of awards, a video depicting the entire process and coordination was shown to the audience. It also included the involvement of MOHAN Foundation's counsellors in facilitating this donation.
The Governor addressed the gathering, saying, "Life and death are in God's hands, but if we choose organ donation, it can save many lives and be a wonderful service to humanity. Organ donors leave an enduring legacy by enriching the lives of others after their passing. She cited the example of the late Sarungbam Kennedy's family, who would be well aware of the resulting sense of satisfaction. Two patients with end-stage renal failure were given a second chance at life as a result of the courageous and altruistic actions of his family members.
The Governor also hailed the MOHAN Foundation and SHRI for their indispensable services by successfully performing difficult surgeries like organ transplantation and preserving lives. She stated that organ transplantation is not only a modern medical procedure, but it has also been practised since antiquity. She also expressed gratitude to all the physicians and stakeholders who contributed to the creation of such a landmark in the history of medical science. She also praised the District Administrations of Imphal East and Imphal West, as well as the Police Department, for effectively establishing a green corridor for the transport of kidney from JNIMS to SHRI.
In his address, Dr. Palin highlighted the MOHAN Foundation's efforts over the past five years to expand the state's deceased organ donation programme. In addition, he stated that the MF team's awareness programmes contributed to the realisation of this donation. He emphasised the significance of organ donation and its ability to save multiple lives. "Why burn or bury valuable organs when they can be donated to save lives?" he said. He then commended the donor family for serving as an example to the Manipuri people.
Dr. Somorendro Paonam, Consultant Urologist and Kidney Transplant Surgeon at SHRI, offered a vote of gratitude at the conclusion of the programme.
Close to 100 participants attended the programme.
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