About
us
Hospital Organ
Donation Registry, a center for the country, has been set up at Sir Ganga Ram
Hospital, Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi, with a purpose of encouraging organ
donations, fair and equitable distribution and optimum utilization of human
organs.
This registry is maintaining the waiting list of terminally ill patients
requiring transplants, donor registration, matching of recipients with donor,
co-ordination from procurement of organs to transplantation, dissemination of
information to all concerned hospitals, organizations and individuals,
creating awareness, promotion of organ donation and transplantation
activities.
Why do we need an
Organ Donation Registry?
Life is too precious
to be lost to an organ failure. But millions have lost their lives when a
vital organ failed to function in their body. The fact is, medical
advances in the field of transplant immunology, surgical management and organ
preservation have made the transplantation of vital organs possible.
Thus providing a viable approach to the management of diseases that cause
irreversible organ failure. So, all you need to know and do is pledge for
donation and help precious lives from being lost before their time.
ABOUT
ORGAN DONATION
What is organ
donation?
It means that a
person pledges during his lifetime that after death, organs from his/her body
can be used for transplantation to help terminally ill patients and giving
them a new lease of life.
There are two ways
of Organ donation:
-
Living
related donors: only immediate blood relations (brother, sister,
parents & children) can donate as per the Transplantation of Human
Organ Act 1994. Living donor can donate only few organs, one kidney (as
one kidney is capable of maintaining the body functions), a portion of
pancreas (as half of the pancreas is adequate for sustaining pancreatic
functions) and part of the liver (as the few segments that are donated
will regenerate after a period of time) can be donated.
-
Cadaver
Organ donor: can donate all organs after brain death.
What organs and
Tissues can be donated?
The major donor
organs and tissues are heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, eyes, heart
valves, skin, bones, bone marrow, connective tissues, middle ear, and blood
vessels. Therefore one donor can possibly give gift of life to many terminally
ill patients who would not survive otherwise.
What is brain
death?
It is the
irreversible and permanent cessation of all brain functions. Brain can no
longer send messages to the body to perform vital functions like breathing,
sensation, obeying commands etc. Such persons are kept on artificial support
(ventilation) to maintain oxygenation of organs so that the organs are in
healthy condition until they are removed. Most cases of brain death are the
end result of head injuries, brain tumours patients from Intensive care units.
Organs of such patients can be transplanted in organ failure patients to
provide them a new lease of life.
How quickly
should the organs be donated?
Healthy organs
should be transplanted as soon as possible after brain death from the donor to
the recipient.
Who can be a
Donor?
Anyone, regardless
of age, race or gender can become an organ and tissue donor. If he/she is
under the age of 18 years, then the consent of parent or legal guardian is
essential. Medical suitability for donation is determined at the time of death
Who can give
consent for organ donation after brain death?
Donors who have
during their lifetime consented for organ donation in writing in the presence
of two witnesses (at least one of whom is a near relative), should carry their
donor cards with them and also express their wishes to their near and dear
ones. In case of no such consent or donor pledge form was filled before death,
then the authority to give consent for organ donation lies with the person
lawfully in possession of the dead body.
Which terminal
diseases can be cured by transplant?
Here are some
terminal diseases which can be cured by the transplantation:
|
Heart |
Heart failure |
|
Lungs |
Terminal lung
illnesses |
|
Kidneys |
Kidney failure |
|
Liver |
Liver failure |
|
Pancreas |
Diabetes |
|
Eyes |
Blindness |
|
Heart valve |
valvular
disease |
|
Skin |
Severe burns |
Who will receive
your organ?
Your vital organs
will be transplanted into those individuals who need them most urgently. Gifts
of life (Organs) are matched to recipients on the basis of medical
suitability, urgency of transplant, duration on the waiting list and
geographical location.
Is there any
charge to my family for organ donation?
No, there is no
charge nor payment for organ/tissues used in transplantations. Organ
donation is a true gift
Does organ /
tissue removal affect cremation / burial arrangements or disfigure the body?
No. The
removal or organs or tissues will not interfere with customary funeral or
burial arrangements. The appearance of the body is not altered. A
highly skilled surgical transplant team removes the organs and tissues, which
can be transplanted in other patients. Surgeons stitch up the body
carefully, hence no disfigurement occurs. The body can be viewed as in
any case of death and funeral arrangements need not be delayed.
Will the doctor
ask permission of donation from my family, once the signed donor card is
found?
Yes. Doctor will
always ask the permission of organ donation from the family if your signed
card is sighted. Therefore, it is important that you discuss your decision
with family members and loved ones so that it will be easier for them to
follow through with your wishes
What is legal
position on organs donations?
It is legal by law.
The government of India has enacted the "transplantation of human organs act
1994" in Feb. 1995, which has allowed organ donation and legalised brain
death.
Can organs be
removed after death at home?
No. It can
only be removed when a person is brain dead in the hospital and is immediately
put on a ventilator and other life support systems. After death at home,
only eyes and tissues can be removed.
