ORGAN DONATION

The demand for organ transplantation has rapidly increased all over the world during the past decade due to the increased incidence of vital organ failure. However the unavailability of adequate organ for transplantation to meet the existing demand has resulted in major organ shortage crisis. For example in India 2,00,000 people need a new kidney every year and 1,00,00 need a new liver, but only 2 to 3 percent of the demand is met.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only about 0.01 percent in India donate their organs after death, while in western countries around 70-80 people pledge their organs.

There are many illegal transplantations happening as people in need of quick money go for illegal donation of their organs. The recent kidney racket in Delhi is a good example of this, the practice of illegal kidney donation and procurement remains rampant particularly because of the high number of Indians suffering from diabetes and other kidney related diseases.

Why are Indians not donating organs? Finding a donor match is difficult to begin with. In India this challenge is compounded by bureaucratic hurdles and lack of awareness. There is lot of red-tapism and paperwork involved in getting a transplant, says Ajit Huilgol, president of Indian Society for Organ Transplantation. According to the existing rules, if the potential donor is not related to the person who needs the organ, the transplant needs to be approved by a state-level committee or by a hospital committee that include government officials. This explains Dr. Huilgol, can cause unnecessary delay. Other organs used in transplant are donated from people who are brain dead, this requires the approval of the donor’s next of kin. There are some initiatives that the government is trying to improve the mechanism for organ donation. In cities like Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bangalore local governments are planning to have driving licences as double as donor cards. It is important that organ donation should not be confused with illegal trade of organs.

We all should donate our organs after death, through which we can help those people who are in need of them. Do not let sentiments or religious superstition came in way of doing something good for the society.

                                                         BY-ADITI SEMWAL