Under the auspices of AIIMS Rishikesh, the MOHAN Foundation organized an organ donation awareness session and narrowcasting of radio bytes in collaboration with Radio Rishikesh, 90.0FM at Haripur-kala village, Haridwar on February 23, 2024.

Mr. Sanchit Arora, Project Leader-MF posted at AIIMS Rishikesh, served as the speaker for the session. Mr. Ankit Rawat, Radio Jockey, Radio Rishikesh, along with Ms. Sonika, Radio Jockey, Radio Rishikesh, hosted the narrowcasting of radio radio bytes, attended by the staff of Seva Health Group (SHG), Haripur-Kala Village, Haridwar.

Mr. Ankit Rawat initiated narrowcasting by playing radio bytes from Dr. Vikas Kumar Panwar, Assistant Prof. Department of Urology, AIIMS Rishikesh, highlighting the importance and necessity of renal transplantation and organ donation. Prof. Meenu Singh, Director, AIIMS Rishikesh, emphasized why individuals should participate in organ donation initiatives and the noble cause behind organ donation.

Following the narrowcasting, Mr. Sanchit conducted an awareness talk, encouraging participants to express their insights on organ donation as they listened to radio bytes. He then elaborated on the current status of organ donation in India, covering various topics in detail:

What is organ donation, and why is it important to donate organs?

Who can be an organ donor?

Explanation of live and deceased donors

Organ donation during life and after death

Brain death

Differences between coma and brain death

Eye donation and steps required to preserve corneas after death

Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994

Role of the MOHAN Foundation

What an individual can do to contribute to this noble cause

Myths and facts about organ donation

Participants shared their experiences, with Ms. Laxmi Kala expressing how she successfully donated her mother’s cornea after her death at home with the help of AIIMS Rishikesh eye bank team and how she feels divine after this act.

The session was highly interactive, with participants enthusiastically contributing to the discussion and posing numerous queries. Some of the questions raised during the session included:

• Can a person with weak eyesight who wears spectacles still donate their eyes?

• Can diabetic and thyroid patients also donate their organs?

• How can someone who needs a kidney register on the hospital's waiting list?

During the informative session, 15 participants acquired a comprehensive understanding of organ donation, gaining valuable insights that could potentially contribute to fostering awareness in their communities. Additionally, it was emphasized that the Seva Health Group (SHG) Ladies play a pivotal role in connecting with 1000 families and ensuring access to primary health care for all. As a result, the impactful message conveyed during the session is anticipated to resonate with over 1000 families in need, effectively bridging gaps in healthcare awareness. The significance of the session extended further as 80% of the participants pledged for organ donation, expressing a strong commitment and motivation to actively contribute to this noble cause, thereby leaving a positive impact on the collective consciousness of the community.