7th Indian Organ Donation Awareness programme organized at GMCH-32

Chandigarh :  27^th November: ALPHA NEWS INDIA :-- The 7th Indian Organ Donation Awareness programme was held today at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector-32, Chandigarh. The chief guest on this occasion was Sh. V P Singh Badnore, Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh was. Organ donation is a generous way to save numerous lives. Sh. VP Singh Badnore has always been on forefront to spread awareness about this crucial cause. Among other senior officials present during the programme were Sh. Parimal Rai, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, Sh. Anurag Aggarwal, IAS, Home Secretary- cum- Secretary Health, Sh. Atul Sachdev, Director Principal, Government Medical College and Hospital and staff of the Government Medical College and Hospital. 

Sh. V. P. Singh Badnore, Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh shared that so many people die daily from chronic diseases, due to non-availability of organs. This burden is huge and unfortunately the donor turnout is less in our country whereas in Croatia there is highest organ donation rate. There are some myths and misconceptions related to this concept, for which there is a need to create awareness regarding the same among people.

He further added that, “The Government of India has taken tremendous initiatives to support organ donation in the country. The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India highlighted the same in Mann ki Baat. He also shared that the Chandigarh Administration has decided to set up State Organ and Tissue Transplant organization (SOTTO) in GMCH-32, Chandigarh. The city's impressive literacy rate would help in creating awareness about this cause. To support this cause, the Administrator, UT Chandigarh along with all those present during the event took the pledge to donate their organs.

He concluded by saying that, “Chandigarh has been number one in many areas, Slum Rehabilitation Program, Solar City, first city that has been open defecation free, most livable city declared by BBC and Kerosene free city. Let’s lead the way to become a cashless society, by becoming more tech savvy and making Chandigarh a cashless city.”

Atul Sachdev, Director Principal, Government Medical College and Hospital speaking during the programme said, “The success rate of transplantation of organs is 90% if we see the past practices, but not forgetting that approximately 5 lakh people die every year because of non availability of organs/ organ failure. There is an earnest need for more and more people to come forward and pledge to donate their organs. The worthy Secretary Health, U.T. Chandigarh has given the officials a target that 1.5 lakh people take the pledge of organ donation by the end of January. Complying with the same, we have assured him that all the efforts will be made to support this cause and achieve the target."

Prof B. S Aulakh and Prof Vipin Kaushal from GMCH-32, Chandigarh also shared their view on the importance of organ donation. Highlighting the initiatives taken by Government to promote organ donation, Prof. Vipin Kaushal mentioned that be it the enactment of The Transplantation Of Human Organs Act, 1994 Act No. 42 Of 1994, Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2014, and the establishment of National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Government has aggressively acted in this area.  He further applauded the initiative of the Chandigarh Administration of implementing the option for “Organ Donation on Driving License” in Chandigarh, thereby becoming the second state/UT to do so in India. This allows the residents to opt for pledging organs on the application form for driving license. Those who give an option for organ donation in driving license form; their driving license will show “OD”, which means “ORGAN DONOR”.

Another initiative of the Chandigarh Administration of “Green Corridor”, for which a mock drill was organized at PGI and GMCH-32 last year to promote that time, is the essence is organ donation was also highly appreciated during the programme. The Green Corridor is based on the concept that an organ donor and a suitable recipient for the organs may not always be present in the same hospital.  Hence, quite a few times harvested organs need to be transported to other hospitals for transplantation. This is possible only by creating a green transport corridor for shifting of organs in a suitable condition for transplantation as the organs have a limited shelf life after harvesting.