In India Number of patients on the waiting list is increasing every day, and the number of people dying while waiting for an organ transplant is increasing. Donated organs may offer the gift of life and hope for them. Every potential organ donor can save eight lives. Registering yourself as an organ donor, you can create heroic impact on our society 

Organ transplantation is still evolving science and relatively new in our country. In our society people have misconceptions and doubts about organ and tissue donation these misconceptions and doubts are discouraging people from registering as organ donors. So it’s important to dispel these misconceptions & myths. So here are seven facts about organ donation for you we hope will encourage you to pledge your organ.

• In India there is no black market for organs.

Any kind of Commercial organ trade is illegal in India The legislation called the THOA-1994 that banned organ sales. As per the amended act Trading in human organs could put you behind bars for 10 years and a fine of up to ₹1 crore. There is no documented evidence of a black market for organs in India. 

• Doctors will work just as hard to save you.

Your treating team is separate from the transplant team. Even if you are a registered organ donor, doctors work equally hard to save you. Your donor status does not affect treatment and care you receive. If all lifesaving efforts have failed and Brain stem death certification is done then only you will be considered as a donor. and for donation, informed consent is required. 

• They can’t retrieve organs before brain stem death is declared.

Brain stem death is medically & legally accepted in India. Panel of four licensed physicians, (approved by the appropriate authority) including the treating doctor, independent specialist, neurologist or neurosurgeon can determine brain stem death. They have to certify that Patient is Brain stem death with documentary evidence. 

Brain stem death occurs when a person has an irreversible brain injury, Brain stem death is different from coma.

• Rich or famous people are not prioritized on the waiting list.

The allocation system or guideline is not based on social status. Law doesn’t allow discrimination on the basis of wealth, cast, gender and other social factor. Transplant Patients prioritized on city waiting lists by blood group, needed organ, medical urgency, and the time they’ve been on the waiting list.

• No charges or cost for organ donation.

A donor’s family is not responsible for the cost of organ donation. From the moment a family gives consent for donation, hospitals bear the costs of retrieval and maintenance of organs for transplantation. Family is financially responsible for all hospital expenses incurred before the brain stem death declaration and consent. And all funeral expenses.

• Don’t rule out yourself because of age and history of serious diseases

You can become a donor at any age. Advance age doesn’t disqualify you automatically neither history of serious disease or illness such as diabetes, hypertension. Doctors will assess you medically at the time of death to determine what organs can be donated.  

• All religions approved and accepted organ donation.

All organized religions encourage & support organ donation, considering it a generous act of charity & individual’s choice.

You can do much more 

Registering yourself to become an organ donor is the first step to saving lives. But you can do much more. If you find this article useful, please share this article with your social networks, so your friends and family will get authentic information about organ donation. You can Host an event or session in your office, society or area to promote organ donation awareness. & encourage more people to become organ donors. We can help you for that, together, we can save many lives.

For more details visit: https://ztccpune.org/contact-us

Vitthal Shinde – Jr. Central Coordinator, ZTCC Pune.