The Cardiological Society of India, Vidarbha Chapter, Nagpur organized an organ donation awareness programme at Chitnavis Center, Civil Line, Nagpur on 15th September 2018. The Society’s President Dr. Sunil N Washimkar had invited Dr. Ravi Wankhede Center Head of MOHAN Foundation, Nagpur to deliver a talk. The Chief Guest for the day’s event was Justice Bhushan R. Gavai. Mr. Sanjay Shende, Dr. Abhimanyu Niswade, Dr. Sunil N. Washimkar, and Dr. Anil Jawahirani were the other dignitaries present.

The programme began with Dr. Washimkar introducing Dr. Wankhede to the dignitaries and audience. Using a powerpoint presentation Dr. Wankhede began explaining about organ and tissue donation in detail. He explained in detail cardiac and brain death the organs and tissues that could be donated in both cases. Dr. Wankhede stressed the need to understand the concept of brain death following which several organs could be donated with the families’ consent.

He mentioned that many states in the country lacked transplantation facilities and there were low levels of awareness about brain death and organ donation. Dr. Wankhede urged the participants to pass on the information they received during the session to their homes and community. Around 150 students and staff were present and 3 of them signed consent forms and received donor cards. The session ended with Dr. Anil Jawahirani, Secretary of the Cardiological Society of India thanking Dr. Ravi Wankhede and all the participants.

National Service Scheme (NSS) students from two colleges - Sevadal Mahila Mahavidyalaya and Tirpude Social Work College, Sadar supported in organizing the event.