More focus needed on organ donation

Representational image. Pic/iStock

In an uplifting report it was noted that an 81-year-old Mumbai woman donated a kidney to her son. Doctors reckon that this probably makes her the oldest donor in India.

Cutting out the medical details, this cheery story shines a spotlight on donation and the importance of awareness and most importantly, correct information. The edit now focuses on cadaver donation.

Today, we do read reports of ‘green corridors' which refers to a route cleared out for an ambulance carrying harvested organs to ensure delivery at the destination in the shortest possible time.

This shows that there is an uptick in awareness, pledging and actual donation. We read of how families are donating organs of their loved ones, giving a new lease of life to somebody.

We must see consistent campaigns as now is the time to smash myths and blow away hesitancy and reluctance when it comes to organ pledging. It would be good if people have more avenues, too, for organ pledging. We do witness that people have good intentions, they want to pledge their organs as awareness has grown, but they simply do not know how to do so, where to do so.

Public health initiatives need to fill in that lacunae. Many a prospective donor may be lost, simply because there is little know-how about this, and then, people tend not to pursue it, or give up altogether.

We must see dedicated staff and counters at hospitals, creating awareness and guiding people to the correct avenue for organ pledging.

It is vital that families are drawn into the process as doctors have despaired of ‘donation' being stopped by families as soon as the team reaches the home of the donor who had pledged his organs. In a new normal it is time to stress consistently on all aspects of donation.