They have pledged their lives for the security of denizens, but when it comes to taking a pledge to donate their organs after death, the Delhi Police personnel seem least interested. In a circular sent to the police recently, only 554 officers out of 80,000 personnel agreed for organ donation. The General Administration Department of the Delhi Police had sent out forms in August last year and only 554 personnel applied so far, according to a Delhi Police official.
“The forms have been submitted from the all the districts and units. The process of forwarding them to Organ Retrieval Banking Organisation (ORBO) is still on,” the officer told The Pioneer. Organ Retrieval Banking Organisation works under the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). It maintains donor registration, co-ordination from procurement of organs to transplantation, dissemination of information to all concerned hospitals, organisations and individuals, creating awareness, promotion of organ donation and transplantation activities. It also has a 24-hours helpline number 1060 for general public.
The Delhi Police comprise 60 per cent constabulary but the forms were filled up by majority of inspectors and sub-inspectors, the officer added. According to another police official, lt. Governor Najeeb Jung had instructed the Delhi Police to “motivate” its personnel “to pledge for organ donation after death.” A note from the office of Joint Commissioner of Police (General Administration), attached with the form, was sent to all the offices of the Additional Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioners of all eleven districts.
The note explained the procedure of organ donation, its related formalities and utilities. It also said, “The lt Governor has desired that the force must be made aware about organ donation. Further, police personnel may be motivated to pledge for organ donation after death.” When The Pioneer approached the officials of the General Administration Department to elicit a response, an officer said: “It may be because of unawareness about the importance of organ donation. There should be some awareness campaign on this before sending it.”
The officer also said the forms will once again be distributed to the force. This time it will be given to the Joint CP, Special CP and Police Commissioner as well. The police personnel, however, believe that the long and irregular duty hours restricting them to fill up such forms. A constable who did not wish to be named told The Pioneer that he got the form but he did not fill it, as he was not assure about his good health. “Our duty hours are so long while sometime we keep working for two-three days. How could we assure ourselves that we are fit enough to donate our organs,” said the constable.
During a recent study by Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) across the country including Delhi Police, it was discovered that nearly 74 per cent staff of a police station, are suffering from various kinds of health conditions due to uneven working hours and hectic schedule. However, the official said that long working hours are not related to the apprehensions regarding organ donation as it is conducted after sudden or accidental death.