'Dearth of donors hitting organ donation in state'

A proactive attitude towards cadaveric donation, counselling relatives, infrastructure and coordination will ensure success

Advances in technology, transplantation medicine and new drugs have cured many medical conditions but donor organs are often the last ray of hope for the terminally-ill. However, a shortage of cadaveric organ donors continues to remain a concern.

Second Innings, a joint initiative of the State government, the city’s major healthcare organisations, non-governmental organisations and various corporate institutions, is part of the cadaveric organ donation drive in the city.

The initiative aims to create awareness and educate the public about the significance of organ donation and available options.

Keeping in mind various factors that inhibit people from pledging their organs, the stakeholders organised a panel discussion themed ‘Look at Life Afresh’ to discuss ways to motivate people to sign up for donation.

Speaking on the occasion, Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader, said, ”There is a critical gap between the number of organs donated and the number of people waiting for organs. It is through initiatives such as these that we can address this dilemma.”

Dr Nandakumar Jairam, Columbia Asia Hospital, explained the process of organ donation at the event.

“A proactive attitude towards cadaveric organ donation, counselling relatives of the brain-dead regarding organ donation, adequate hospital infrastructure and coordination among hospitals will ensure the success of the Second Innings campaign,” Jairam noted.

If all these efforts are done in a coordinated manner, then cadaveric organ donation will be successful in Karnataka, he added.

Justice V S Malimath, who was also present at the discussion, stressed that cadaveric organ donation should be a moral responsibility in order to preserve life of a patient.

Justice Malimath added, “Of utmost importance is the need to save a patient’s life by preventing wastage of organs. It is essential to harvest organs from people who are declared brain-dead and for others to support it.”

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