Mysuru: Organ donation should become a part of the school curriculum because children can spread messages faster when they are taught about the values and necessities of organ donation, said Dr S Sundar, Chief Nephrologist from the Columbia Asia Hospital.
Speaking during an organ donation initiative program organised by CII-Young Indians in association with Columbia Asia Hospital, JSS Hospital, Apollo Hospital, Narayana Multispecialty Hospital and Vikram Hospital at JSS Hospital here on Sunday he said, “Unfortunately, there is a lot of misconception about organ donation in India. Hence, we need to educate people. Donation of all the solid organs can be of major help to those waiting for an organ. Hence, organ donation should become a part of the school curriculum today”.
Dr M D Ravi, JSS Hospital Mysuru Director and CII-Yi Mysuru organ transplant event chair said that the doctors from all major hospitals in the city have come together to promote the cause ever since CII came up with the initiative as organ donation can save more than 8 to 9 lives if one person decides to donate his organs. “Many people do have a fair idea about the concept, but do not come forward. We hence need to make an attempt. We have around 800 signatures after a walkathon was conducted to promote the same in Mysuru last week. Many have even signed up for body donation after death. Some people are indeed prepared for it, but many do not know how to go about it”.
Dr Ajit K Huligol, Director and Chief Transplant Surgeon, Columbia Asia Hospitals said, “The process of donation or transplantation cannot be successful unless the doctors and the other team members gel well with one another. Things like ego and money should not be allowed to come in the way, if not for which everything will fail in the very beginning,” he enlightened the audience.
Dr Bellipady Shyam Prasad Shetty, Senior Cardiothoracic Surgeon, HOD of CTVS JSS Hospital said, “Organ and tissue donation offers families a glimmer of hope and comfort at a time when all seems to be lost. Organs such as heart, lungs, kidneys and pancreas deteriorate quickly once the circulation ceases. Organs that can be donated include heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, intestines, skin, bone, bone marrow and cornea. People of all ages and background can be donors. However, if you are under the age of 18, your parent or guardian must give permission to become a donor.
Dr Manjunath Shetty, JSS Hospitals professor and HoD – Nephrology said, “If 10 per cent of the accident victims in India donate their organs while they are brain dead and on ventilator, the shortage can be met greatly. It gives immense pleasure to mention here that Tamil Nadu is way ahead in this initiative. About 40 per cent of all of Indian’s cadaver donations happens in TN, because the government there greatly promotes organ donation”.
Earlier, N Muthukumar, Chairman, CII Mysuru said, “The idea is that when it is not going to be of any use to us post death, we need to have the courage to donate it to the needy as it will help another life survive. There is also a myth about organ donation which needs to be eradicated. It’s not so easy, but it will definitely be helpful even if one pc of the people we have approached today in this regard, agree to donate”.
