India’s vision to become a global leader in organ donation and transplantation can only be realized through the collective efforts of individuals and institutions, stated Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. She urged officials to ensure that no received organs are wasted before transplantation.
During the 14th Indian Organ Donation Day ceremony, family members of deceased donors, recipients, and other stakeholders were honored. The event also saw the release of the e-Newsletter, NOTTO’s Annual Report, and Organ Transport Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Smt. Patel emphasized the need to promote organ donation from deceased and brain stem dead individuals to meet the high demand in the country. She highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on organ donation, noting that one donor can save up to eight lives. Addressing the gathering, she praised the family members of deceased donors for their invaluable contribution and encouraged more people to pledge organ donation.
Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog, highlighted the disparity between the demand and supply of organs and called for institutional reforms in government hospitals. He noted that only around 750 institutions offer organ transplantation services and encouraged more to join.
Dr. Paul also mentioned that kidney transplants are covered under the AB PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) and urged insurance companies to cover organ transplants. He commended the Union Government’s initiatives like the “One Nation, One Policy” to facilitate organ transplantation.
Union Health Secretary, Shri Apurva Chandra, stressed the need to enhance awareness about organ donation and improve systems to prevent organ wastage. He noted that while India ranks third in organ transplantation, most donations occur within families, highlighting the need for more people to register for organ donation.
Awards were presented to various organizations and individuals for their contributions to organ donation and transplantation, including the best performing States, institutions, and medical professionals.
The event also marked the launch of the e-Newsletter, NOTTO’s Annual Report, and a manual on Organ Transport Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). As part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, a special campaign ‘Angdaan Mahotsav’ was organized in 2023, and the month of July is observed as Organ Donation Month. The ‘Angdaan Jan Jagrukta Abhiyaan’ campaign has been organizing awareness activities across the country.
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Anil Kumar, Director of NOTTO, Delhi Police personnel, organ recipients, students, and senior officials from the Union Health Ministry.
The Union Government is dedicated to promoting organ and tissue donation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasized its importance in his “Mann ki Baat” program. The Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) has been observed annually since 2010 to raise awareness about brain stem death and organ donation, dispel myths, and motivate citizens to donate organs and tissues.
Organ donation can save lives and improve the quality of life for many more by donating tissues like corneas and skin. For more information, visit NOTTO’s website or call the toll-free helpline. This year, the ‘Angdaan Jan Jagrukta Abhiyaan’ campaign has facilitated over 1.7 lakh citizens to pledge organ donation since September 2023.
