On 8th August 2021, MOHAN Foundation joined hands with the Department of Social Work of Stella Maris College for Women, Chennai to conduct a program – ‘Organ Donation - Opportunities for Action.‘ It was attended by 44 students and staff of the department. The virtual event took place between 5 and 6.30 pm.
The event started with an introduction by Dr. Priya George, Assistant Professor of the department. She spoke of the photography contest themed on organ donation, that was held in the past two weeks and the importance of organ donation. Dr. Hemal Kanvinde, Quality Assurance Officer of MOHAN Foundation, then displayed all the pictures that were selected by a Jury. Dr. Navin Jaykumar, Ophthalmologist - Darshan Eye Clinic and a long term well-wisher of MOHAN Foundation and Mr Jehrome A, an avid photographer and Director of Wanderers Media Works Pvt Limited. From close to 80 entries that were received, the following 4 were announced as prize winners during the occasion:
Ms Asha, student of the college requested Dr. Hemal to speak on the concepts of organ donation and the following points were covered:
Dr. Hemal gave examples of donors and how a young girl whose life was saved by the act of organ donation, has used her second chance to counsel other patients to go for transplantation. She also elaborated on the opportunities for students to work in this field.
Ms. Asha conducted a session on experiential learning by inviting Mrs. Priscilla Pushparani, a kidney recipient, Mr Simon Raj a donor family member and Ms. Sunitha Velankanni, a grief counsellor to share their experiences. Ms Priscilla spoke of her diagnosis and the very dark period of dialysis, during which she did not want to meet anyone and finally her transplant. She said all the counselling was done by the treating doctor, who urged her to think about transplant. She said that her pillar of strength continues to be her mother.
Mr. Simon Raj spoke of his experience when his uncle’s organs were donated in 2013 and how his family needed multiple counselling sessions to consent and highlighted the misconceptions in people about organ donation. He mentioned that after a few months, the pastor of his church said that his family is closest to God because of their decision to donate organs. He requested the students to create awareness about this cause so that consents are given without time being wasted.
Ms Sunitha explained the process of counselling and coordination using a case study. She also elaborated on the differences in the working of the public and private hospital. She mentioned the key points in living and deceased donation counselling. Mrs Usha Balasubramanian, In-charge of the Patient Support Group, Chennai spoke of her experience as a care giver and their dependence on transplant coordinators for information and care.
This was followed by a Q&A session and the topics discussed were costs of transplants, management of waiting lists, role of medical social workers and medical sociologists in organ transplantation, illegal trading of organs, the COVID 19 pandemic and its effect on transplant recipients.
The session ended with a vote of thanks by Sister Lourthu Mary, HOD, Department of Social Work & MA HRM, Stella Maris College. MOHAN Foundation thanks the Department of Social work and Dr. Priya for this collaboration and congratulates the winners of the contest.
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