Organ donation The greatest gift

Ravneet Kaur

On August 13, the world celebrates World Organ Donation Day. The day is dedicated to the life-saving act of donating organs after death, giving patients battling serious illnesses a chance at a new life. While organ donation is common in countries like Spain, USA, Portugal, France, and Germany, it remains less common in India. Yet, by donating organs such as kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, intestines, pancreas, bones, skin, heart valves, eyes, and even blood vessels, one can save many lives. Organ donation is truly a blessing for those in need.

According to the World Health Organisation, only 0.01 per cent of people in India donate their organs after death, compared to 47 per cent in Spain and 44.5 per cent in the USA. This is mainly due to a lack of awareness in India.

Indian people are generally healthy, take good care of their bodies, and are known for their bravery. However, due to insufficient knowledge about organ donation, many do not participate. In addition, various religious beliefs and superstitions create hesitation around organ donation. Some people fear that their organs might be misused. It is important to know that doctors handle the process of organ removal with the utmost respect for the deceased.

In our country, many people suffer from serious diseases and are in desperate need of organ transplants. Using a deceased body for organ donation, instead of cremating it, can relieve someone’s suffering and is a noble act. One person who donates his/her organs after death can save up to eight lives.

Chronic illnesses like kidney and liver disease affect many people in India. About 85 per cent of kidney patients are waiting for a transplant. Receiving a donated kidney or liver can save their lives and bring immense relief to their families.

The situation is alarming: In India, a new person is added to the organ transplant waiting list every 10 minutes, and 20 people die each day waiting for organs. Over 3,00,000 people are currently on the waiting list, but only a few thousand are organ donors. Sadly, only 10 per cent of those in need receive organs in time.

Statistics show that there is only one organ donor for every million people in India. What’s more, India is often called the “Blind Capital of the World”, with 4.95 million people visually impaired, making up about 25 per cent of the world’s blind population. If people donate their eyes after death, it would be a tremendous act of charity.

An organ donor can save up to eight lives and improve the quality of life for 75 others.

If so many lives can be saved by donating organs after death, let us all take part in this important cause. These organs can only be obtained through donation as they cannot be artificially created, no matter how advanced science becomes. The Government of India has created a website called the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) where you can learn more about organ donation and become part of this valuable cause.

The writer is Principal of Shri Guru Teg Bahadur International School, Kalyanpur, Dhariwal.