If more people came forward to donate organs to ensure that people with sick organs live longer, the problem can be effectively tackled, doctors said at an awareness campaign on organ donation here on Tuesday.
Organ or tissue donation, with growing awareness, has become a gracious act as the donors are able to leave a miraculous legacy, said Dr Manoj Sahu, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology at the Institute of Medical Sciences and Sum Hospital here.
He said that about one lakh deaths occur in India every year due to organ failure. On the other hand, 9.5 million people die every year due to various reasons of whom one lakh are believed to be those who could have been potential donors.
However, less than 200 of them actually donate organs, meaning the organs in the rest more than 99,000 bodies are lost, he said, adding that organs harvested from such bodies can take care of the long waitlist of end stage organ failure patients. Organ donation after death is a simple act which does not hurt anyone but benefits many.
Besides eyes and kidney, organs like heart, lungs, liver and pancreas and tissues like skin, bone, cartilage, veins, arteries and heart valves are also transplanted successfully, Dr Sahu said, pointing out that to make these transplants legal, the Government has passed the Transplantation of Human Organs Act in 1994.
The concept of setting up skin banks has been taking root in India as well as skin harvested from a person immediately after death can be used to reduce morbidity and mortality of burn patients, Dr Jayanta Kumar Dash of the Department of Burns, Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery said.
Eminent activist campaigning for organ donation TN Panda said the joy of living was in the joy of giving. “Organ donation does not cause any inconvenience or loss to the family members,” he said.
Dr PK Mohanty observed that the problem besetting the organ donation scenario encompasses religious beliefs, fear, ignorance, misunderstanding and legal aspects. Media reports about scandals involving organ rackets is also a dampener. There is an urgent need for increased public awareness regarding organ donation, he said.