Under the aegis of AIIMS Rishikesh, the MOHAN Foundation conducted an organ donation awareness session at Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) in association with Rishikesh Eye Bank, Department of Ophthalmology, on April 5, 2024.

The program included general eye check-up, distribution of medicines, and raising awareness for organ donation.

Mr. Sanchit Arora, Project Leader-MF posted at AIIMS Rishikesh, served as the speaker for the session, which was attended by the IPD patients, eye camp beneficiaries, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) and Anganwadi Workers (AWW), Staff & Medical Officer of UPHC, Rishikesh.

The session commenced by introducing MOHAN Foundation, its goals & objectives. 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, Skin donation & steps required to preserve corneas after death

* Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994

* Role of the MOHAN Foundation, Anudaan initiative & crowd funding

* What an individual can do to contribute to this noble cause

* Myths and facts about organ donation

Later, Sanchit summarized the urgent need in this field, encouraging the public to take the call after discussion with family, friends, and colleagues.

An information desk for organ donation was set up where frequently asked questions (FAQs) on organ donation were displayed and distributed for a better understanding of the topic.

Following the session, participants asked several questions at the information desk:

* In the absence of blood relatives for donation, who else is eligible to donate organs while alive?

* What are the financial implications of a kidney transplant?

* Has AIIMS Rishikesh initiated any programs for deceased organ donation?

Close to 45 participants attended the session and 12 visited the information desk