Informed decision by families to donate organs can help save lives: Apollo Hospitals

Organ transplantation has been one of the greatest advances of modern science that has resulted in many patients getting a renewed lease of life. It is estimated that every two minutes, a patient requires an organ transplant in India. More than 2 Lakh Indians require transplantation annually. However, not even 2% get a transplant. In United States 20,000 donations take place every year but in India post the passage of the Human Organ Transplant Act only 1100 donations have taken place in the last fifteen years. This astounding statistic paints a dismal picture of organ donation in India.

In such an environment, a ray of hope has been seen with families coming forward and making an informed decision to donate vital organs of their dear ones in the national capital. 2013 may not be the same any more with more such families joining the brigade to save a life which may be threatened due to the shortage and unavailability of organs like kidney, liver, heart, etc.

Baby Venya Raman(2007-2012) was just four years when she succumbed to her disease but she continues to live on in many people’s lives by donating her kidneys, liver,corneas and heart valves.

Similarly Mrs Sangeeta Khera(1955-2011) was 56 when she passed away but she donated her kidney liver and heart valves. Celebrating this shift of mindset and the forthcoming approach, Apollo Hospitals felicitated these families at a function held in Delhi on December 27^th 2012, reinforcing their belief to have contributed to the society by saving several lives.

Mr Jaideep Gupta, Managing Director Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said “”We are here today to honour and felicitate the families of the departed souls. Their decision of donation is an ultimate gift to someone in need. More people should come forward and follow the exceptional example set by these families so that precious human lives can be saved. India’s currently having a deceased donation rate of 0.05 to 0.08 per million populations so it is important that hospitals and institutes come forward to promote this cause.””

The successful implementation of organ donation hinges on the education of the masses and having more trained transplant co-coordinators. One of the major barriers to donating organs is myths and misconceptions. Too often, people just don’t have the correct information.

Prof. Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director and Senior Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Apollo Hospitals said, “”We salute families who came forward and supported this noble cause. They have shown the country what it means to save lives while coming to terms with a personal tragedy. We hope their example will help others to make a decision to pledge their organs””

The ceremony witnessed the presence of eminent doctors- Dr Subhash Gupta, Dr. Sandeep Guleria, Dr. Vijya Rajkumari, Dr Sudhir Tyagi and Dr SN Mehta. Families present were felicitated during the ceremony for their brave and compassionate act.

The need for a national campaign to raising awareness; a proactive attitude towards cadaveric organ donation; counseling for relatives for organ donation in the event of brain death; adequate hospital infrastructure; matching and distribution of the organs and co-ordination amongst hospitals could act as starting points for bringing about a change in perceptions of people in the country.