10,000 pledge to donate organs

The society celebrated World Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation on Saturday at Guru Nanak public school,Ludhiana. Students of 50 schools and 20 nursing colleges participated in various competitions including poster making,dance,song and quiz which was attended by various eminent personalities of the city.

Speaking at the occasion,Dr Aulakh (Professor of Urology and Head,Transplant Unit,DMCH) said,“In UK or US more than 90 per cent of the organ donations are from the brain dead patients while in India this percentage is less than 1 per cent. In India,on the contrary,more than 90 per cent organ donations are from live persons. The brain deaths take place in hospitals only. In brain death,the heart keeps on functioning for few hours and hence organ donation is possible. But in India,awareness is low.”

He said that his society started functioning about four years ago and till now more than 10,000 persons from Ludhiana alone have pledged to donate their organs after death. Education minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan,who was the chief guest,pledged to donate his organs post death. He also filled the consent form.

Dr Aulakh said,“Every year a number of patients die because of lack of kidney donors and if this awareness is spread among people,kidney transplant patients will live a healthy and happy life.”

Deceased organ donors can donate their organs only after they are declared brain dead. Brain death occurs when the brain is no longer supplied with blood and stops functioning. “There is no chance of recovery after the brain stops functioning. Ventilating machines in an intensive care unit (ICU) can keep blood flowing to the rest of a brain dead person’s body,thereby maintaining their organs. Depending on age and organ function,deceased organ donors can donate their heart,lungs,pancreas,liver and kidneys,” said Dr. Aulakh.

Organ donors and the recipients present on the occasion were honoured by the dignitaries and the highlight of the function was signing of huge donor card by all those present on the occasion.