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October 24, 2024 By Dr Ashwin Nanda 5 Comments

Organ Donation – Gift of Life

Lead -organ-donationA decade ago as a medical student, I had come across a blind man selling torches in the local trains. I asked him just out of curiosity the reason for his blindness to which he replied that he lost his sight in childhood after an accident which permanently damaged the blood supply to the retinas. He then went on to ask why I brought up the question and when I told him I was studying to be a doctor, he smiled and said, “I have a question for you”? I anticipated, he would want to know about recent advances in medicine that could probably restore his sight. But, I was wrong, instead, his question was different. His question was whether he could still donate his eyes. I was absolutely overwhelmed when he asked this. That is the day when I realized one can lose his eyesight but, still have a vision. With a sense of respect for him, I explained to him that his corneas could indeed be donated after his demise.

Organ transplantation is a marvelous procedure of modern medicine which helps the recipient gets a new lease of life. The only issue is, untimely demise of a loved one plunges the family and friends in so much grief that donating the deceased person’s organ doesn’t come to mind most times. It takes a mighty heart to brush aside the sorrow and take the step of organ donation, to give the gift of life to someone when you have lost a loved one.

one-organ-donor-eight-lives

Organ donation is permitted by law after a person is declared brain dead. A brain dead person has no chance of revival as all his brain activity has stopped permanently and completely. The medical fraternity follows very strict standards laid down by the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994 to determine if someone is brain dead or not.

In India, it takes 4 well qualified doctors to declare brain death before a person’s organs can be harvested. The biggest hesitation in organ donation is that the body will be disfigured. The surgeon makes a single neat incision from top of the chest to the navel and after organ harvesting, it is stitched professionally and the body is handed back in the most dignified state. The organ/organs are stored in cooled containers with special preservative fluid.

Organ donation from brain dead individuals in India is very less compared to Europe and US. Live donor numbers are increasing steadily since it is possible for a relative to survive on a single kidney and even the left lobe of liver can be donated by a live donor as the liver regenerates.

2 lakh corneas are needed annually in India but only 50,000 donations happen. 5 lakh people die annually waiting for a lifesaving organ. Presumed consent for organ donation is used to increase the pool of potential donors in countries such as Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Singapore and Turkey. After the death of the individuals the state becomes the custodian of the dead body, who take out the organs for transplant. Spain has the highest rate of organ donation at 36 / million. India is at 0.26/million only.

organ-donation-Image 1 (1)

Who, What and How Can you donate?

1) Kidneys, Heart, Lungs, Liver, Small Bowel and Pancreas can be donated for transplant. Tissues that can be donated include eyes, heart valves, bone, skin, veins and tendons.

2) Every healthy person can donate. Old age is not a deterrent to donation. Person’s physical condition, not age, which is the deciding factor. Organs and tissue from people in their 70s and 80s have also been transplanted successfully.

3) Specialist health care professionals decide in each case which tissue and organs are suitable.

4) Your near and dear ones should be aware of your will to donate your organs. In case of your untimely demise they can inform concerned authorities to harvest your viable organs.

5) Kidneys, liver, heart need to be harvested within 6 hours of death whereas corneas within 12 hrs.

organ donation

“Green corridor” is the term used when a lane from the airport to the hospital where the organ recipient is waiting is kept totally vacant for speedy transport of the organ by the doctor who has retrieved it from a donor in another city. The city traffic police officers go all out to ensure a smooth transit with zero stoppage. The nobleness of organ donation is highlighted by the efforts put in by them to help the cause.

Organ donation is easier said than done. This article is an attempt to increase awareness about this cause so that we all can create the mindset to be willing to donate organs. All religions promote this practice since extending life is considered an act of God.

So let’s pledge our organs and live even after we are gone.

Here are a few websites through which you can register and pledge your organs

www.mohanfoundation.org/

http://www.transplantindia.com/

http://www.organindia.org/

#BeTheForce

March 14, 2024 By GOQii Leave a Comment

Empowering Lives on World Kidney Day: A Global Call for Equitable Kidney Care

Priya and Maya, two sisters deeply connected by laughter and shared experiences, lived together in the bustling suburbs of Mumbai. Priya was battling kidney failure, her life entwined with the rhythm of dialysis machines. Despite her fading hope, she hoped for a transplant to restore her vitality.

Maya, observing her sister’s suffering, decided to offer her kidney if she was a match. This act of courage led them through anxious days of tests until they received the news: Maya was a compatible donor.

The surgery that followed was a testament to their bond, as Maya’s kidney was successfully transplanted into Priya. The sisters recovered, their lives enriched by this profound act of love and sacrifice. They returned to their daily routines, their bond now encompassing the shared beat of a single kidney.

Their story, resounding with the spirit of World Kidney Day 2024, illuminates the transformative power of organ donation—a gift that transcends the physical to touch the essence of human connection.

March 14, 2024, marks a significant milestone as the world unites under the banner of World Kidney Day. This year’s theme, “Kidney Health for All – Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice,” champions a universal crusade against disparities in kidney care. It’s a clarion call for collective action, aiming to bridge the gap and ensure comprehensive access to preventative measures and treatments for kidney disease, irrespective of geographical or socio-economic barriers.

The Unsung Heroes: Our Kidneys

Our kidneys, the vigilant custodians of our health, perform crucial roles that extend far beyond waste elimination. These remarkable organs regulate blood pressure, produce vital hormones, and maintain our body’s electrolyte balance. World Kidney Day 2024 serves as a reminder of our kidneys’ indispensable role in our well-being, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding these vital organs through proactive health practices and education.

Bridging the Healthcare Divide: A Journey Towards Kidney Health for All

In India, a nation marked by its rich tapestry of cultures and histories, the challenge of kidney health emerges as a critical concern. The “Kidney Health for All” campaign illuminates the stark disparities that punctuate the landscape of kidney care in the country. Despite the strides made in medical technology and treatment methods, a significant portion of India’s population confronts kidney diseases from the shadows, encumbered by the lack of access to essential diagnostics, treatments, and the financial resources necessary for managing their conditions.

Access and Education

In the quest for optimal kidney health management, the role of appropriate medication cannot be overstated. Medications are pivotal in decelerating the progression of kidney diseases and enhancing the quality of life for those affected. However, in India, the path to optimal medication practice is fraught with obstacles—chief among them being the disparities in access and education. There is a pressing need for improvements in prescription practices and patient education, emphasizing the imperative of policies that bolster medication affordability and accessibility for all citizens.

World Kidney Day 2024 serves as a beacon, highlighting the urgent requirement for a comprehensive approach that addresses these disparities head-on. It advocates for an inclusive healthcare system where every individual, regardless of their socio-economic status or geographical location, has access to the screenings, treatments, and support essential in combating kidney disease.

A Unified Effort for Kidney Health in India

The call for awareness, education, and advocacy grows louder on World Kidney Day 2020. It is a clarion call here to the healthcare professionals, policymakers, patients, and the public—to unite in a shared mission to champion kidney health equity. This is an opportune moment to enrich our collective understanding of the challenges besetting kidney health in India and to actively participate in the global movement advocating for equitable kidney care.

From policy advocacy aimed at eliminating barriers to kidney care to supporting research that pioneers new treatment modalities, every action contributes to sculpting a future where kidney health is prioritized, and equitable care is a reality for everyone. It underscores the collective responsibility we hold to foster an environment where the advancements in kidney health are accessible to all, bridging the healthcare divide that has long affected the Indian populace.

As we mark World Kidney Day 2024, let us rally together to advance kidney health for all in India. Inspired by the global theme, our focus remains steadfast on ensuring that every Indian has access to the care and knowledge needed to combat kidney disease. In embracing the pillars of awareness, education, and advocacy, we pave the way for a future where disparities in kidney care are a thing of the past, and optimal kidney health is within the reach of every individual across the nation.

Inspired by stories like Priya and Maya’s, we are reminded of the life-altering impact of organ donation and the collective responsibility to advance kidney health globally. Let us stand together to champion kidney health for all, fostering a world where health equity is not just an aspiration but a reality.

#BeTheForce

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