A group of 10 young enthusiasts joined module 2 of the Organ Donation Ambassador training on October 05, 2024.  This Batch 33 training was done via zoom and had three components, interactions with experts, understanding gratitude through writing and communication about the cause.

Dr Hemal Kanvinde of MOHAN Foundation welcomed the volunteers, spoke of the program and achievements of Ambassadors. The trainees then introduced themselves. Interestingly one of the trainees was a kidney recipient and another was from a donor family.

 The next session was interaction with experts.

The invited faculty for this session were

Dr Anant Kumar, Max Hospitals Delhi NCR

Mr Hariharan, Kidney transplant recipient

Ms Bharati Ranga, Kidney transplant recipient

Mr Ruban Victor, Transplant Coordinator Fortis Hospital Chennai

Dr Rohini Motwani, Asso Prof, Dept of Anatomy, AIIMS Bibi-Nagar Hyderabad

Discussion was around, why is organ donation still a taboo topic and special efforts are needed to make a donation happen, what is blood incompatible donation and is this a safe transplant option, why do we need to change the dailyser, which is so expensive, what are the long term effects of immunosuppression, why is this surgery and treatment so costly and when can we have it made available at lower costs.  Other queries were about keeping information desks in all hospitals. Dr. Anant Kumar answered all these queries.

Dr Rohini spoke of the contraindication to voluntary body donation and the process of pledging and donation. She also told the trainees about what happened to the body and the lifesaving nature of the donation.

Mr Ruban Victor explained the process of counselling using real life experience.  He highlighted the need for documentation, positive counselling and giving the correct information to the family. He also touched upon the medico legal aspects of a donation.

Mr Hariharan related his life story of being diagnosed with kidney failure at school going age, having his father as a hero and striving to come up in life after the transplant.  His story was very moving and gratifying to the volunteers to see what a recipient can achieve when a second chance is provided.

The next session was writing a letter of gratitude.  Dr Muneet Kaur Sahi, led the session.  She explained the need to write a letter to the donor family or to the living donor.  Everyone wrote a letter of thanks to the donor and read out their feelings. Since, one of the trainees was a recipient, her letter was very moving. This session empowered the trainees of the experiences of a recipient.

Dr Hemal conducted the next session on Modes of Communication.  With an illustrative ppt she described the ways of conducting awareness campaigns. She listed special days for campaigns, types of awareness and tips for a thoughtful awareness session that is appropriate for the chosen audience.

The training ended with feedback and suggestions from the trainees.