‘Misconceptions about organ donation must be removed’

 

 

 

 

 

Nagpur ZTCC’s contribution to organ donation Cadaveric organ donations started in Nagpur in 2013. Till August 1, 2024, Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre, Nagpur (ZTCC) received 156 donations. The number of deceased donors this year is 26. ZTCC which has Dr Sanjay Kolte as President and Dr Rahul Saxena as Secretary is working hard to get more donations through counseling the relatives of Braindead patients. ZTCC is situated at Super Specialty Hospital, Nagpur. The people can contact on its helpline number - 9175999735.

 

EVERY year, the nation celebrates Organ Donor Day on August 3 to commemorate the first successful heart transplant done in India. This day also serves the purpose of spreading awareness about the critical need for organ donation. In a country where over five lakh patients die each year waiting for a transplant the significance of this day cannot be overstated.

 

The organ donation rate in India has increased from a dismal 0.05 per million population to 0.8 per million population in a span of a few years. It is minuscule when compared to Croatia’s 36.5, Spain’s 35.3, and USA’s 26 per million, respectively, and needs to increase at a rapid peace. Some of the major reasons behind the low rate of organ donation in India include lack of awareness among citizens and misconceptions about organ donation. “Organ donation is a noble work. For this, citizens must shed their fears and contribute in helping others live a good life,” said Dr Nivrutti Rathod, Civil Surgeon, while stating the importance of organ donation.

 

The government started an organ donation drive in the month of July to educate and encourage people, including government employees, to take organ donation pledges. This initiative is implemented at all primary health centers and health camps conducted by the Health Department. “Government is also coordinating with private practitioners to encourage their patients to also take organ donation pledge,” added Dr Rathod. Informing in detail about organ donation, Dr Rathod said organs like heart, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, skin, tendons, bone, nerve and heart valves can be donated. “It has to take place within six hours of death for eyes and within two to four hours for most other organs. Organ donation can only be done after consent from the donors and their family. There are no economic costs, disfigurement of the body or delays in the funeral process due to organ donation procedure,” he said. Citizens interested in organ donations can easily register themselves by following steps on the website https://notto. abdm.gov.in/register. “On this Indian Organ Donation Day, it is important to be remembered that in choosing to give the gift of life, citizens can indeed change the world,” the Civil Surgeon added.