Pics: Joshwa D'souza
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru(JD)
Mangaluru, Aug 16: AJ Hospital and research centre in association with AJ institute of Dental sciences, AJ institute of medical sciences and Indian Dental association organized world organ donation day in the hospital premises.
The HOD of Urology department Dr Sunil Shenoy inaugurated the program while Dr Prashanth Marla, medical director, AJHRC handed over the organ donation pledge card to the staff of the hospital who have consented to donate their organs.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Prashanth Marla said, “In our country there is a need for 21,000 organ transplants but only 3 to 4,000 transplants happens. This is mainly due to lack of donors. In our country every year 52,000 people lose their life in accidents and will be declared brain-dead. In this condition, there is a chance to donate many organs including the heart but due to the lack of awareness the donation is not happening.”
“For the kidney and other patients, organ transplant is the best and economical way of getting a new life but unfortunately there are no donors. Everyone must sign a pledge form to donate his organs and even make the family members aware of the benefits of the donation. The will of the family members is vital in donating the dead person’s organs.”
Consultant Nephrologist Dr Raghavendra Nayak speaking on the occasion said, “The sorrow of patient’s family can be turned into the hope of new life by organ donation. A person can live up to 30 years after a kidney is transplanted into his body. It a family wish to donate the organ which happens within a particular time after a person passes away. For heart and lung it is 4-6 hours, for the liver it is 8-18 hours and for kidney it is 24-34 hours. The early the organs are preserved after the separation, the better it is for the receiver.”
“There is a need to make people aware about the noble cause. Even the children must be educated about it. All of us give our consent for organ donation in writing,” he added.
The attraction of the event was Shivani the youngest organ receiver of the hospital. Being student of second PU, she received the kidney from her mother. “I had to undergo many types of medical treatments along with three surgeries for the kidneys. I'm thankful to my mother for donating her kidney,” she said not forgetting to thank the AJ hospital management for giving her a new life.
Director of Medical administration Dr Amitha Marla, Dr Shishir Shetty, president of Indian Dental association, dean Dr Ashok Hegde and others were present on the occasion.