Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jul 17: As a part of corporate social responsibility (CSR), Indigo Airlines staff at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) organised an 'Organ Donation' camp here at the airport conference hall on Tuesday, July 17.

Chairman of Organ Donation India Foundation Goel and deputy commandant CISF MIA Amith Kumar were present as guests.

Addressing the gathering Goel said, "I am pleasantly surprised that most of them have filled the ‘donate organs’ pledging form before the commencement of the programme. Organ donation is a noble cause and important too, because every year, nearly 8 lac people lose their lives in one or the other way. If one person agrees to donate his organs, it can save up to 8 lives. We can notice someone donating food, clothes and money. Saving a life is far more important.

“There are two types of organ donation. One is living and another one is decease. In living, one can donate organs only to close relatives, while in decease, organs can be donated after the donator is brain dead and certified by the doctors. Nearly 1.5 lac people die due to accidents and in most of the cases, the victims are brain dead. Once the brain is declared dead, doctors approach the families to convince them for a noble cause which can save up to eight lives.

"People need to come forward to donate organs. We are only 0.8 % in donating organs compared to other countries which is 35%. You have done a remarkable job of pledging to donate organs. You have to educate your families, friends on the importance of organ donation,” said Goel.

Deputy commandant CISF MIA, Amith Kumar said, "Our country is lagging behind when it comes to organ donation. As per the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) nodal agency, nearly 2 lac people are in need of kidneys, but only 9,500 are available. The graph difference between donor and recipient is high.

“I appreciate the initiative taken by Indigo Airlines staff. You need to educate people to donate organs and be a part of this noble cause,” he said.

As many as 55 Indigo Airlines staff and members of Indigo station of the airport pledged to donate organs.

Archana Sachith, manager, Indigo Airlines, welcomed the gathering.